ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Designation of disease activity is serious for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum level of ß2 microglobulin (ß2M) may be associated with illness activity in SLE disease. Since the role of ß2M for assessing of illness activity in SLE is not completely clear, the current study aimed to discern evaluation of ß2M in patients with SLE and its correlation with sickness activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 50 patients with SLE disease and 25 healthy individuals were selected in Imam Khomeini Hospital in central of Urmia. Blood samples were collected safely from patients, serum was removed, and ß2M measured using an ELISA method. The results for other parameters including C reactive protein, C3, C4, anti dsDNA and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were obtained from patients' medical record. Data analyzed using appropriate statistical tests including Mann-Whitney U test, Independent f-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman used for analysis of data. RESULTS: In the current study, a significant difference was seen between two groups in terms of ß2M (p < 0.001). Remarkable correlation was seen between the level of ß2M with disease activity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there are significant relevancy between the level of ß2M with 24-hour urine protein, ESR, disease activity score, and CRP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results revealed that serum amount of ß2M in SLE patients is higher compared to healthy ones, which is significantly correlated to score of illness activity, CRP, and ESR in patients with SLE disease. Hence ß2M might be an excellent serological marker helping the prediction of sickness activity and inflammation in SLE patients.
