Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, showing multiple organ involvement and autoantibodies, but the role of these autoantibodies in pathogenesis and clinical symptoms is unclear. Objective: This study explored associations between autoantibodies, clinical symptoms, complements, and cytokine levels in SLE patients. Methods: 41 confirmed SLE patients were examined in this study. Their serum autoantibody status, cytokine levels, complement (C3 and C4) levels, and clinical presentations were recorded and associations were calculated using standard statistical methods. Results: Arthritis, fever, skin rashes, photosensitivity, and oral ulcers were the commonest symptoms, while Anti-Ro/SSA, Anti-U1-RNP, Anti-dsDNA, and Anti-Sm antibodies were the most frequently present autoantibodies. The presence of most of the autoantibodies was associated with low serum C4 levels. The presence of Anti-Ro/SSA, Anti-U1-RNP, Anti-Sm, and Anti-dsDNA antibodies increased the risk of symptoms like fever, arthritis, morning stiffness, and generalized edema. Conclusion: Results of this study indicate the role of particular autoantibodies and cytokines in pathogenesis and appearance of various clinical features of SLE. This knowledge can be applied for prediction of organ involvement, based on early identification of autoantibodies in SLE patients.