FRI0257 PROLACTIN AND DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE IN WOMEN WITH ACTIVE SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS OF RECENT ONSET VERSUS CHRONIC INACTIVE PATIENTS

Background:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, typically affecting young women at reproductive age. Prolactin (PRL) levels have shown direct correlation with clinical and serological disease activity. Hyperprolactinemia has been reported in a wide range of SLE patients (15–33%). Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are the most abundant circulating steroid hormones in humans. The level of both metabolites is lower in patients with active SLE compared with patients with inactive disease, which suggests a potential role of low levels of DHEAS in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objectives:

To evaluate serum PRL levels and DHEAS levels in patients with active SLE of recent onset vs patients with inactive chronic and healthy controls and their correlation with activity and chronicity scores

Methods:

Serum PRL levels and DHEAS levels were studied, as well as their correlation with SLEDAI and SLICC scores. Group 1: 15 patients with SLE of recent onset (active SLEDAI >3) Group 2: 20 patients with inactive chronic SLE (SLEDAI<3) and Group 3: 20 healthy controls. SLEDAI and SLICC were calculated in group 1 and group 2 respectively. PRL and DHEAS was measurement by radioimmunoassay in all groups. Statistical analysis: U-Mann Whitney and Spearman correlation.

Results:

Group 1: serum PRL levels were 27.82±9.96 ng/dl vs group 2: 20±5.02 ng/dl (p= 0.004) and group 3:19.58±4.57 ng/dl (p=0.004). Group 1: serum DHEAS levels were 14.58±9.26 μg/dl, group 2: 19.36±7.21 μg/dl (p=0.04) and group 3: 154.43±50.88 μg/dl (p =0.001). The average DHEAS was lower in patients with chronic SLE vs controls (p = 0.001). A positive linear correlation was found between serum PRL levels and SLEDAI score (Rho 0.92, p=0.001). No correlation was found between PRL and SLICC score. A negative linear correlation was shown between DHEAS concentration and SLICC score (Rho-0.46, p =0.03).

Conclusion:

PRL levels were higher in active SLE patients VS. chronic inactive SLE and healthy controls. In contrast, serum DHAS levels were lower in patients with active SLE vs. inactive chronic SLE. We found a positive correlation between SLEDAI score and PRL serum concentrations and an inverse correlation between SLICC score and DHAS serum levels.

References:

[1] Borba VV, Zandman-Goddard G, Shoenfeld Y. Prolactinand Autoimmunity. Front Immunol2018; 12:73. [2] Rutkowski K, Sowa P, Rutkowska-Talipska J, et al. al. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): hypes and hopes Drugs.2014;74:1195-207. [3] Robeva R, Tanev D, Andonova S, et al. Androgen receptor (CAG)n polymorphism and androgen levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33:2031-8.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared