Serum Amyloid A to Albumin Ratio as a Biomarker of Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Esraa Khalid, Henaz Farouk Khaled, Soha EIdessouki Ibrahim, Aya SafarBackground:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Effective evaluation of activity indexes is very important in disease management. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is one of the acute-phase reactants. Serum albumin is a negative phase reactant protein; lower than normal levels have been frequently reported in SLE. Hypoalbuminemia is a consequence of the inflammatory process. This study is to evaluate the SAA-to-albumin ratio in SLE patients as a marker of activity.
Results:
This study was performed on 25 SLE patients and 25 matched healthy subjects, who underwent detailed history taking, clinical assessment and disease activity assessment using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). The SAA to serum albumin ratio was significantly increased in SLE patients compared to controls (
Conclusions:
The SAA/ALB was associated with high disease activity in SLE patients. The SAA/ALB might be an indicator of increased disease activity in SLE.