RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the relationship between the severity of sarcoidosis and serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) concentrations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2015 and March 2018 on 55 patients with sarcoidosis (16 males, 39 females; mean age, 39.9; range 25 to 60 years) and 28 healthy subjects (7 males, 20 females; mean age, 39; range 25 to 60 years). The sarcoidosis patients were divided into active chronic sarcoidosis and acute sarcoidosis groups. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was based on clinical, radiological, and pathologic findings. Also, the diagnosis of the active disease was based on the level of angiotensin-converting enzyme, active skin, eye, and lung lesions. Scadding score was also measured, and other patient information was collected by pre-designed questionnaires. RESULTS: The most involved organs were the skin (92.7%) and joints (92.3%), respectively. The mean BAFF concentration in both active chronic sarcoidosis (p=0.001) and acute sarcoidosis (p=0.001) groups was significantly higher than the control group, but the mean level of BAFF in these two groups was not significantly different (p=0.351). Between two groups of patients, only calcium (p=0.001) and forced vital capacity (p=0.021) were higher in the acute group of sarcoidosis. Also, among the factors associated with active chronic sarcoidosis and acute sarcoidosis, none was significantly correlated with BAFF. CONCLUSION: Serum BAFF concentration was higher in patients with sarcoidosis, while this was not significantly different from increasing severity of symptoms. There was no significant difference in BAFF levels between acute sarcoidosis and active chronic types.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematous is an autoimmune disease associated with atherosclerotic manifestations or metabolic disturbance due to inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in SLE compared to healthy controls. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 150 SLE patients and 220 healthy volunteers were enrolled. MetS was diagnosed according to ATPIII criteria. Patients and controls were compared according to prevalence of MetS. In addition, SLE patients with and without MetS were compared according to laboratory parameters. Each patient also fulfilled a checklist about routine daily activities and diet program. Data were analyzed by SPSS-11 software. RESULTS: MetS was significantly lower in SLE than healthy controls (18% vs 29.1%, P=0.015). Disease manifestations, major organ involvement, serum values of complements and anti-DNA antibody and pharmacological therapy did not correlate with MetS occurrence in patients. The mean TG, FBS, systolic and diastolic BP were statistically higher in lupus patients compared to healthy volunteers in contrast to waist circumference. HDL-cholesterol serum values did not show any significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that despite higher values of blood pressure, serum lipids and glucose in lupus patients, the cumulative metabolic components were in a manner to make MetS more prevalent in healthy volunteers. As far as life habits are concerned, lupus patients in general did not exercise enough and did not go on a healthy diet despite of glucocorticoid therapy and hypertension.
