AB0524 SERUM BAFF AND APRIL AS CANDIDATE BIOMARKERS IN SYSTEMİC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): A PROSPECTIVE FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Background: BAFF and APRIL are cytokines involved in B cell development and they take place in the pathogenesis of SLE. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum BAFF/APRIL levels with clinical features and disease activity in SLE patients. Methods: We included 79 patients with SLE (ACR criteria) and 27 healthy controls into the study. Serum BAFF and APRIL levels were assessed by ELISA. In 19 patients with active disease at the time of the assessment BAFF/APRIL levels were reassessed at least 6 months later (mean 7.8 months) and disease activity was evaluated by SLEDAI. New renal involvement was observed in 16 patients during the study and renal involvement was previously detected in 12 patients. Results: Although both BAFF (median 0.7 vs 0.41 ng/ml) and APRIL (median 2.3 vs 1.05 ng/ml)levels were higher in patients with SLE compared to the control group (p Conclusion: BAFF/APRIL levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with SLE compared to controls, but no association with disease activity was found. BAFF levels are correlated with decreased C3 levels. These results suggest that both cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, and that serum BAFF and APRIL levels can be valuable as a biomarker in SLE especially in patients with renal activity. Long-term studies on the effect of treatment are needed. Disclosure of Interests: None declared