cln-67-02-157.pdf

CLINICAL SCIENCE Clinical and serological manifestations associated with interferon-a levels in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus Mariana Postal,I Nailu Ange?lica Sinicato,II Karina Oliveira Pelic?ari,I Roberto Marini,III Lilian Tereza Lavras Costallat,I Simone AppenzellerI I State University of Campinas, Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Campinas/SP, Brazil. II State University of Campinas, Faculty of Medical Science, Postgraduate Program of Child and Adolescent Health, Campinas/ SP, Brazil. III State University of Campinas, Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Campinas/SP, Brazil. OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum levels of interferon alpha in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients, their first-degree relatives and healthy controls and to evaluate the associations between serum interferon alpha and disease activity, laboratory findings and treatment features. METHODS: We screened consecutive childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients in a longitudinal cohort at the pediatric rheumatology unit of the State University of Campinas between 2009 and 2010. All patients demonstrated disease onset before the age of 16. Disease status was assessed according to the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). Interferon alpha levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. RESULTS: We included 57 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients (mean age 17.33?4.50), 64 first- degree relatives (mean age 39.95?5.66), and 57 healthy (mean age 19.30?4.97) controls. Serum interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to their first- degree relatives and healthy controls. Interferon alpha levels were significantly increased in patients with pos