Title: High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients without Cardiac Involvement: Relation to Disease Activity and Intima-Media Thickness

Authors: Mona H. EL Zohri, Mohamed A. Tohammy, Ahmed A.Obiedallah, Effat AE Tony, Huda M Kamel, Mohamed Z Abd Elrhman

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.78

Abstract

Objectives: measuring hs-CRP in SLE patients without clinical cardiac involvement and finds its relation to disease activity and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), to detect a possible subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: 40 SLE patients without cardiac involvement and 20 controls. Disease activity was evaluated using SLEDAI. A SLEDAI of 6 or more is consistent with active disease. CIMT increased if > 0.7 mm.

Results: hs-CRP in SLE patients was significantly higher than controls. 29 patients had high risk level of hs-CRP(> 3 mg/L) , 5 patients had average risk (1-3mg/L) , 6 patients had a low risk ( < 1 mg/L ) compared to the controls. Hs-CRP was significantly higher in patients with positive antids DNA compared to those with negative results, (P 0.003, r 0.5). Hs-CRP significantly correlated with SLEDAI, (P 0.001, r 0.49). CIMT in SLE patients was significantly increased (0.81± 0.42 mm), (>7 mm) compared to controls (0.54± 0.15 mm). 90% of SLE patients with increased CIMT have high risk hs-CRP, 10% of SLE patients with increased CIMT have averege risk hs-CRP compared to those at lower levels (0 %), while 55% of SLE patients with normal CIMT have high risk hs-CRP, 15% of SLE patients with normal CIMT have averege risk hs-CRP, 30% of SLE patients with normal CIMT have a low risk hs-CRP. A significant correlation between hs-CRP and CIMT (p 0.019, and r 0.39).

Conclusion:  hs-CRP may be a useful marker of disease activity and increased CIMT in SLE.

Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus-High-sensitivity C-reactive protein- Carotid Intima Media Thickness- Subclinical atherosclerosis.

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Corresponding Author

Mona H. EL Zohri

Departments of Internal Medicine

Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt