Adrenomedullin Level in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients with and without Nephritis

Abstract

This study was done to measure plasma adrenomedullin level in SLE patients with nephritis compared with those without nephritis and healthy controls, and to correlate plasma adrenomedullin level with disease activity of SLE The SLE patients were divided into two groups: Group Ia: Thirty SLE patients with nephritis, defined by the renal parameter of the SLEDAI score. The lupus nephritis group was defined as those having a renal SLEDAI of ≥ 8 (at least 2 abnormal results for renal parameters on at least two occasions). Group Ib: Thirty SLE patients without nephritis. Group II: Thirty healthy control subjects were included in the study. SLE patients were 50 females (83.33%) and 10 male (16.67%) their age ranged from (15-50) years with a mean±SD (27.93±9.05) and mean±SD disease duration was 6.56±5.2 years. Control II were 24 female (80%) and 6 males (30%) their age, range (17-46) with a mean 26.53+8.32.

Results showed the following: • There was statistically highly significant difference as regards plasma adrenomedullin levels between SLE patients and controls (p <0.001) & a statistically highly significant difference between level of plasma adrenomedullin in patients with nephritis and patients without nephritis (P= <1.00). • There was negative correlation between adrenomedullin & 24 hour protein in urine in group I. • There was statistically significant positive correlation between level of adrenomedullin in SLE patients & SLEDAI.