Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels in systemic sclerosis and various types of morphea in the Kashmir valley

ABSTRACT

To find the serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels in patients of systemic sclerosis and morphoea in the Kashmir Valley. This was a cross sectional study conducted in the department of dermatology of SKIMS Medical College over a period of one year involving 12 patients of systemic sclerosis and morphea and equal number of healthy controls. All the individuals were taken up for serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels. In patients with systemic sclerosis, the mean levels of copper and ceruloplasmin were increased. No alterations were found in patients with morphea and healthy controls. The increase in serum copper is probably secondary to increase in ceruloplasmin level, which occurs as a nonspecific response to inflammation