The Relationship Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity and Persistent Positive Antiphospholipid Antibodies

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by producing different auto-antibodies and multiorgan involvements. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between SLE activity and persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies.

Fifty-nine lupus patients (55 women and 4 men) who were assessed in two consecutive visits with 6 weeks interval were selected. Patients` clinical and laboratory data and serum antiphospholipid antibodies` values, were collected. Serum anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant were measured in two visits. The correlations between these antibodies with SLEDAI and with major organ involvements were assessed. We found that SLEDAI was significantly higher in persistently positive aPLs patients compared with persistently negative aPLs patients. A positive correlation between IgG-aCL antibody titer and SLEDAI at first visit (P=0.049) was also seen.

The results showed that disease activity in SLE was associated with increased APAs and persistent positive antiphospholipid antibodies may indicate higher lupus disease activity.