IMMUNOLOGICAL FINDINGS, THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND DISEASE ACTIVITY IN LUPUS NEPHRITIS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 118  (11) , 1391-+
Abstract
Twenty patients with nephritis due to systemic lupus erythematosus were followed for a mean of 34 mo. after renal biopsy with serial determinations of total serum complement and C3 [3rd component of complement] and C4 concentrations, binding of DNA, antinuclear antibody pattern and platelet count. There were 25 episodes of nonhematologic observed disease activity in 16 of the 20 patients; elevated DNA binding and thrombocytopenia correlated well with these episodes. The mean platelet count during episodes of observed disease activity was 96 .+-. 42 .times. 109 l, which was significantly different from the mean count of 248 .+-. 90 .times. 109 l during disease quiescence. The proportion of false-positive results with the immunologic tests varied from 25-67% and with platelet counts it was 11%. Thrombocytopenia may be a simple and accurate index of disease activity in lupus nephritis.