Curiel RV et al. - Plasma levels of Von Willebrand factor (vWf) and the degree of RBC fragmentation correlate with lupus disease activity over time. Therefore, inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be associated with endothelial injury. Methods
Study to determine whether the plasma levels of vWf and the degree of RBC fragmentation on peripheral smear correlate with disease activity in SLE
40 consecutive pts studied prospectively for 1 year
Pts were categorized according to the SLEDAI as either active (>2) or inactive disease and f/u monthly (active) or quarterly (inactive)
At each visit, pts had complete blood count, tests on antibodies to dsDNA, C3, and C4 levels, and urinalysis
Citrated plasma was analyzed for vWf antigen by standard ELISA
A Wright’s stained blood smear was obtained and schistocytes were quantitated on blood smear
The number of schistocytes per 500 RBCs was determined and SI was calculated
Results
At baseline, vWf correlated with SLEDAI, SI correlated with SLEDAI, and vWf and SI correlated with each other
There was an inverse correlation between baseline C3 levels and vWf and C3 levels and SI
Over time, there was also a correlation of SLEDAI with vWf and SI
The relation of vWf with SI approached but did not reach statistical significance
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