الفهرس 
Systemic Lupus ErythematosusOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
B-cells are not only involved in the production of antibodies, but also serve as antigen-presenting cells and co-regulate T cell activation through cytokine production. The resemblance between these BAFF transgenic mice and patients with systemic autoimmune diseases indicates a potential role for BAFF in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study is to evaluate serum level of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and to determine its relationship to disease activity. The current study was comprised a total 50 patients and 25 controls after the approval of the ethical committee, the studied patients were collected from Internal medicine department of Tanta university hospital during the period of February 2018 to June 2018. Inclusion criteria: Apparently healthy persons and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis. Exclusion criteria: 1. Other autoimmune diseases. 2. Malignancy. 3. Pregnancy. In this study; There were no significant increases in age in group III than group II and group I, (p=0.002). Also, the female gender was the predominance (16, 20 & 18 in the three groups respectively) without any significant difference between the three groups (p=0.452). Regarding the 1st hour ESR & CRP there was significant increase in group III than group II and group I between the three groups (p<0.001), on the other hands, there was no significance between group I & group II. C3 was significantly lower in group III than group II than group I and no significant difference between group I&II. But, Anti-ds DNA was significantly higher in group III than group II than group I (p<0.001). As regard to renal function tests, the serum level of creatinine, blood urea, and 24 hour urinary protein execration were significantly increased in group III than group II and then group I (p<0.001 for all). On the other hands, no significant difference between group I&II. Regarding the urine analysis finding in studied groups (pus cells, RBCs and protein) show statistical significance among the three groups (p<0.001). The serum albumin levels were significantly decreased in group III than group II and than group I, On the other hands, no significant difference between group I&II (P=0.29). The serum BAFF level in group III (541+ 70.91 ng/ml), in group II was (86.59+ 8.966 ng/ml), and in group I was (56.98 + 5.49 ng/ml), levels show statistical significance among the three groups (p<0.001, <0.001 & 0.036 respectively). The activity of lupus in group II and group III as calculated from SLEDAI score, being much higher in group III (26.6 + 11.53) than in group II (12.12+7.91), SLEDAI show statistical significance among both groups (p<0.001). In group III, there was significant increase in number of cases with active SLE & cases developed Pleural effusion than group II (p<0.001 & 0.049 respectively). Regarding to the renal biopsy classification, the majority of cases (56%), had class IV, then class III in 20%, while class I&II was 16% & 8% respectively. There was non-significant negative correlation between BAFF among SLE patients (with and without nephritis) and Age and significant negative correlation with C3. On the other hands, there were significant positive correlation with ESR, CRP, creatinine, urea, proteinurea, Anti-DNA and SLEDA. Univariate binary logistic regression reveled that, ESR, CRP, C3, Creatinine, Urea, Proteinurea, Anti-DNA & Fever (p= 0.028, 0.039, 0.007, 0.015, 0.006, 0.023, 0.013 & 0.053 respectively) were a significant predictor of SLE activity. Univariate binary logistic regression reveled that, ESR, CRP, C3, Creatinine, Urea, Anti-DNA & SLEDA (p=0.006, 0.008, 0.005, 0.009, 0.004, 0.004 & <0.001 respectively) was a significant Predictors of nephritis in patients with SLE.