Correlation of simple hematological parameters with disease activity and damage indices among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective To evaluate the correlation of different hematological parameters in lupus patients with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), the Systemic Lupus International Collaboration Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI), and some laboratory data related to kidney functions in active patients with nephritis. Material and methods 80 inactive SLE patients (SLEDAI score<10 points), and 80 active patients (SLEDAI≥10 points) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent full medical history taking, clinical evaluation including calculation of SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR DI scores, and laboratory investigations including complete blood count. The two groups were compared regarding different disease parameters. Correlations of some hematological parameters with SLEDAI, SLICC/ACR DI scores and some laboratory data related to kidney function in patients with nephritis were made. Results The active group showed statistically significantly higher mean NLR (P=0.000), NC3R (P=0.000), MLR (P=0.000), PLR (P=0.000), and RDW (P=0.001), and statistically significantly lower mean MPV (P=0.002). The mean MLR (P=0.018) and PLR (P=0.005) were statistically significantly higher in the active patients with nephritis. For both groups, there were no significant correlations between studied parameters and SLEDAI or SLICC/ACR DI, except with NC3R values in the active group which were associated with SLEDAI (r=.221, P=0.049). Conclusion The hematological parameters in SLE have promising potential clinical application as a novel activity marker, especially in patients with nephritis.