Research Information System
Gazi Medical Journal, vol.19, no.3, pp.126-132, 2008 (Scopus)
Purpose: To study the prevalence of different anticardiolipin antibody isotypes (aCLs), anti-C1q antibodies (anti-C1q) and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 IgG antibodies (anti-β2GP1 IgG) in a group of Turkish SLE patients and their association with lupus nephritis and extra-renal involvement. Materials and Methods: SLE patients who were evaluated in Ankara University Faculty Of Medicine, Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology between May 2001 and May 2002 were included in the study, unless they were also hemodialysis patients. Disease duration, medications, organ involvement, disease complications and follow-up laboratory results were recorded. Disease activity was evaluated with SLEDAI; a score of ≥ 4 indicated active disease. Antibody titers Were determined using the enzyme immunoassay method. Results: A total of 62 patients (51 women, 11 men) were included. The mean age was 37. Average duration of illness was 104 months. Of the patients, 55% had a SLEDAI score of ≥ 4. Renal involvement was present in 76%, with active nephritis in 49%. Thrombosis was present in 11%, 16% had obstetric complications, 37% had neurologic findings, 26% had thrombocytopenia, and 45% had Raynaud's phenomenon. None of the antibodies were related to renal involvement. Patients with SLEDAI ≥ 4 had significantly increased total aCL positivity (p<0.05). There was no relation between disease duration and antibody positivity. Anti-β2GP1 IgG and aCL IgG were significantly related to thrombosis (p<0.05), The negative predictive value of aCL for thrombosis was high, 94%. A significant association between thrombocytopenia and aCL IgG positivity was observed (p=0.026). Anti-β2GP1 IgG positivity showed a significant correlation with all aCL isotypes. None of the antibodies had a significant relationship with obstetric complications, neurologic findings, or Raynaud's phenomenon. Conclusions: The findings that aCL IgG positivity was closely associated with thrombotic events and thrombocytopenia, and anti-β2GP1 IgG was closely associated with aCL levels and thrombosis were in accordance with the general literature. No relation between anti-C1q and renal involvement, renal flare, or proliferative nephritis was demonstrated in this group of Turkish patients.