Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a variable course and characterized by periods of remissions and exacerbations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels and disease activity in SLE. METHODS: Eighty two SLE patients seen at Santa Izabel Hospital in Salvador, BA, Brazil, were studied. Disease activity was measured by SLEDAI 2K- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, and serum ADA was detected by colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Eighty one patients were female; mean age was 35.07 ± 11.73 years. The mean SLEDAI score was 11.66 ± 5.89; mean serum ADA was 38.24 ± 13.61U/l; C3 level was 91.93 ± 27.39 mg/dl; C4 level was 15.17 ± 5.77 mg/dl and anti-DNA antibodies were detected in 31(37.8%) patients. There was no correlation between serum ADA level and SLEDAI score. We found an inverse relationship between C4 level and serum ADA. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we have not demonstrated a correlation between serum ADA and SLEDAI score, therefore it should not be used as a marker for disease activity in SLE. These findings are divergent from most of the previous studies. It could be explained by the difference in the studied populations or due to the lack of standardization of the ADA measurement technique.
adenosine deaminase; systemic lupus erythematosus; SLEDAI
