Thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis are independent predictors of hyperprolactinemia in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] flares have been linked to reproductive hormones. Prolactin hormone is involved in a number of rheumatic and autoimmune disease. It was implicated in the pathogenesis of SLE. This study was conducted to evaluate serum prolactin level in a group of Saudi SLE patients and to explore its correlation to clinical and laboratorial markers of disease activity. Thirty-three Saudi female patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE were investigated. Disease activity was assessed using the published SLEDAI. Fasting and resting basal serum prolactin and the serological and laboratory profiles of the studied patients were assessed. Hyperprolactinemia was detected in 10 [30.3%] patients with a mean serum prolactin of 680.7 +/- 1021 mIU/L. There were no significant correlation between SLEDAI score and serum prolactin levels. Linear regression analysis selected low platelet count and raised total leukocytic count as the best predictors of serum prolactin level in the investigated Saudi SLE patients [R[2] = 0.4, P = 0.002]. Hyperprolactinemia detected in a subset of Saudi SLE patients can be predicted by thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. However, it did not correlate with SLEDAI score of disease activity

Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: correlation with autoantibodies titers

Interferon-alpha [IFN-alpha], a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] disease activity and identify patients who are at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-alpha levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives [FDRs] in comparison to unrelated healthy controls [UHCs] were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness. Methods In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-alpha by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-alpha levels with autoantibodies titer. Results Mean serum IFN-alpha in FDRs was statistically higher than the UHCs and lower than in SLE patients [P < 0.0001] and it was correlated with ANA titer [r = 0.6, P < 0.0001] and anti ds DNA titer [r = 0.62, P < 0.0001]. Conclusion IFN-alpha is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-alpha can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development