Anti-C Reactive Protein polyclonal antibody

Objective Although musculoskeletal system involvement is a well-known manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the probability of sacroiliac joint involvement and its effect on patients might be ignored. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between SLE and sacroiliitis and to evaluate the relationship between clinical parameters and sacroiliitis in SLE. Methods The study was designed as a case-control study. A total of 63 patients with SLE and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The clinical and demographic variables of the study population were documented. The sacroiliac joints of patients and controls were evaluated with sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27 was assessed using flow cytometry (Beckman Coulter Navios-model 3, Beckman Coulter Inc., Brea, CA, USA). Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the clinical risk factors related to sacroiliitis. Results Among the 63 patients, acute sacroiliitis was found in 25 patients (39.7%) and chronic sacroiliitis was found in 21 patients (33.3%). Sacroiliitis was higher in patients than in controls (p= 0.001). Acute sacroiliitis was more frequently observed in patients when compared with the control group (p= 0.001). Higher C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (odds ratio= 1.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.30-2.35;p< 0.001) were found to be a risk factor for acute sacroiliitis. Conclusion The ratio of sacroiliitis was higher in patients with SLE than in controls. Increased CRP concentrations were determined as a risk factor for acute sacroiliitis. Thus, one should keep in mind that patients with SLE and higher CRP concentrations may have sacroiliitis.

Objectives We explored rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity before, during, and after pregnancy in patients treated with tight control and investigated the association between disease activity in the postpartum period and those before and during pregnancy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed disease activity and medications of 27 patients before pregnancy, at every trimester, and in the postpartum period. Results Prednisolone was administered to 33% of patients with a median dose of 0 (0-2.5) mg/day and biologic agents was 78% in the third trimester. The median remission rates during all periods were the Disease Activity Score-28-C-reactive Protein assessed with three variables (DAS28-CRP-3) 85%, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) 55%, and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) 54%. Although SDAI and CDAI decreased significantly from before pregnancy to the first trimester and increased from the third trimester to the postpartum period, DAS28-CRP-3 did not change during all periods. Although SDAI and CDAI before and during pregnancy were significantly correlated with those in the postpartum period, DAS28-CRP-3 was not. Conclusions Tight control before pregnancy suppressed RA disease activity during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. SDAI/CDAI before and during pregnancy were predictive for disease activity in the postpartum period.