Doaa Salah Atta1, Ahmed Emera2, Rana S Ghoneim2, Amina M Elnaggar3. 1. Rheumatology & Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. doaa.sa@hotmail.com. 2. Rheumatology & Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. 3. Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aimed in this study to determine the level of serum fetuin-A level in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, assess the correlation between serum fetuin-A level and the activity of disease and the frequency of musculoskeletal manifestations, and detect the frequency of atherosclerosis among these patients by using carotid ultrasonography. METHODS: This case-control study was carried out on 31 SLE patients attending the inpatient and outpatient clinics of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university hospitals and 31 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched controls between January 1,2017, and December 31, 2018. RESULTS: There is a highly significant difference between the two studied groups as regard fetuin-A and carotid intima-media thickness. There is a strong positive significant correlation between fetuin-A with C3 and a negative significant correlation between fetuin-A with Anti-dsDNA, SLEDAI, and carotid intima-media thickness in case group. CONCLUSION: Fetuin-A levels were decreased in SLE patients, and these levels were inversely correlated with carotid intima-media thickness. Key Points • Fetuin-A level is a biomarker of atherosclerosis and asses disease activity in SLE patients.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed in this study to determine the level of serum fetuin-A level in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, assess the correlation between serum fetuin-A level and the activity of disease and the frequency of musculoskeletal manifestations, and detect the frequency of atherosclerosis among these patients by using carotid ultrasonography. METHODS: This case-control study was carried out on 31 SLE patients attending the inpatient and outpatient clinics of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university hospitals and 31 apparently healthy age- and sex-matched controls between January 1,2017, and December 31, 2018. RESULTS: There is a highly significant difference between the two studied groups as regard fetuin-A and carotid intima-media thickness. There is a strong positive significant correlation between fetuin-A with C3 and a negative significant correlation between fetuin-A with Anti-dsDNA, SLEDAI, and carotid intima-media thickness in case group. CONCLUSION: Fetuin-A levels were decreased in SLE patients, and these levels were inversely correlated with carotid intima-media thickness. Key Points • Fetuin-A level is a biomarker of atherosclerosis and asses disease activity in SLE patients.