Hyperprolactinemia in males with systemic lupus erythematosus

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Elevated prolactin (PRL) levels have been observed in various autoimmune conditions, but their role in male SLE patients is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations in male patients with SLE.
• To explore the relationship between PRL levels and SLE disease activity, clinical manifestations, and autoantibody titers.

Main Methods:

• Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum PRL levels in 31 male SLE patients and 31 age-matched healthy controls.
• Clinical and laboratory data, including SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), complement levels, and anti-dsDNA titers, were collected.
• Serial PRL measurements were performed in 13 patients to assess changes in relation to disease activity fluctuations.

Main Results:

• Mean PRL levels were higher in male SLE patients than in controls, though not statistically significant (p=0.06).
• Hyperprolactinemia (13%) was not associated with specific clinical features or autoantibodies.
• PRL levels did not correlate with SLEDAI, complement, or anti-dsDNA titers; no significant difference in PRL was observed between active and inactive disease states.

Conclusions:

• Hyperprolactinemia occurs in a small subset of male SLE patients, with unclear clinical significance.
• Serum PRL levels do not appear to correlate with disease activity in male SLE patients.
• PRL is not a reliable biomarker for monitoring disease activity or predicting relapses in this population.