J Rheum Dis.  2016 Jun;23(3):154-160. 10.4078/jrd.2016.23.3.154.

The Presence of Anti-ribonucleoprotein at Diagnosis Is Associated with the Flare during the First Follow-up Year in Korean Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Kim DS
• Pyo JY
• Byun SJ
• Ahn SS
• Song J
• Park YB
• Lee SK
• Lee SW

• KMID: 2326730
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2016.23.3.154

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine whether the presence of anti-ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) antibodies at diagnosis is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares in newly diagnosed patients during the first year of follow-up.
METHODS
The medical records of 71 newly diagnosed SLE patients without other concomitant autoimmune disease, serious infection, or malignancy were reviewed retrospectively. SLE flares were defined according to the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of anti-RNP, and variables were compared between the groups.
RESULTS
During the first year of follow-up, SLE patients with anti-RNP at diagnosis more frequently presented with mucosal ulcers (p=0.003), rash (p=0.001), and arthritis (p=0.007), compared to those without anti-RNP. The SLE flare incidence was remarkably higher in patients with anti-RNP than in those without anti-RNP (62.5% vs. 23.1%, p=0.001). SLE patients with anti-RNP at diagnosis had a significantly higher risk of ever experiencing a SLE flare during the first year of follow-up, compared to those without anti-RNP (odds ratio=8.250).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, SLE patients with anti-RNP at diagnosis were more than 8-fold more likely to experience an SLE flare during the first year of follow-up.

Keyword

Anti-ribonucleoprotein; Flare; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Arthritis
Autoimmune Diseases
Diagnosis*
Exanthema
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Incidence
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Ulcer
Antibodies

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