Related Experiment Videos
Serum prolactin levels and Behçet disease
H Proença1, C Ferreira, M Miranda
1Department of Ophthalmology, Visual Sciences Research Centre, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. helenprocenca@hotmail.com
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|May 31, 2007
Summary
Serum prolactin levels are elevated in Behçet disease (BD) patients, particularly those with complete-type BD, suggesting a role for prolactin in disease pathogenesis and expression.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Behçet disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology.
- Hormonal imbalances may play a role in the pathogenesis of BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum prolactin levels in patients with Behçet disease.
- To correlate prolactin levels with the clinical phenotype of Behçet disease.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, nonrandomized comparative study included 22 BD patients and 21 healthy controls.
- Serum prolactin levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.
- BD patients were subcategorized into complete-type and incomplete-type based on clinical manifestations.
Main Results:
- Serum prolactin levels were significantly higher in BD patients compared to controls (p=0.009).
- Elevated prolactin levels were also observed in the complete-type BD subgroup compared to controls (p=0.02).
- Younger patients (<30 years) showed a trend towards requiring more aggressive treatment, suggesting a link between age and disease severity.
Conclusions:
- Serum prolactin may be implicated in the pathogenesis of Behçet disease.
- Prolactin levels are associated with the clinical expression of BD, especially in complete-type disease.
