[Intravascular blood coagulation and immune complex inflammation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus]

Immune complex inflammation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is attended by activation of the coagulation system up to the development of disseminated intravascular blood coagulation (the DIC syndrome). Study of the hemocoagulation in 106 patients with SLE revealed the signs of the chronic DIC syndrome that manifested itself largely by hypercoagulation, increased thrombin formation and proneness to inhibition or activation of fibrinolysis. These alterations were more demonstrable in patients with a highly active condition and lupus nephritis. The clinical symptoms of the chronic DIC syndrome in the form of hemorrhages and thromboses were seen in 27 patients. Correlations were discovered between the level of soluble fibrin-monomer complexes and characteristics of inflammatory and immunologic activity. Therefore, a close interrelationship has been shown between immune complex processes and alterations in the hemocoagulation associated with SLE. It has been also demonstrated that the DIC syndrome plays a role in the progression of lupus nephritis.