Evaluation of the serum β2 Microglobulin level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with disease activity

Abstract

Background: Designation of disease activity is serious for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum level of β2 microglobulin (β2M) may be associated with illness activity in SLE disease. Since the role of β2M for assessing of illness activity in SLE is not completely clear, the current study aimed to discern evaluation of β2M in patients with SLE and its correlation with sickness activity. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 50 patients with SLE disease and 25 healthy individuals were selected in Imam Khomeini Hospital in central of Urmia. Blood samples were collected safely from patients, serum was removed, and β2M measured using an ELISA method. The results for other parameters including C reactive protein, C3, C4, anti dsDNA and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were obtained from patients’ medical record. Data analyzed using appropriate statistical tests including Mann-Whitney U test, Independent f-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman used for analysis of data. Results: In the current study, a significant difference was seen between two groups in terms of β2M (p < 0.001). Remarkable correlation was seen between the level of β2M with disease activity (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there are significant relevancy between the level of β2M with 24-hour urine protein, ESR, disease activity score, and CRP (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that serum amount of β2M in SLE patients is higher compared to healthy ones, which is significantly correlated to score of illness activity, CRP, and ESR in patients with SLE disease. Hence β2M might be an excellent serological marker helping the prediction of sickness activity and inflammation in SLE patients.

Beta-2-Microglobulin Level Increases with Advanced CKD Stages: The Implications and Significance

“…In autoimmune disorders, the importance of monitoring of β-2M serum levels to assess disease activity has been highlighted lately. This study revealed that increased β2M levels were found in at least one third of SLE patients and correlated with the disease activity markers such as SLEDAI-2K, anti-dsDNA antibodies titer, and C4 component [48]. In addition, high serum level of β-2M is associated with musculoskeletal system involvement, hematological symptoms and vasculitis.…”

“…The cause of elevated β-2M concentration in autoimmune disorders such as SLE patients is not fully understood. Some researchers suggest the β-2M increase may result from increased lymphocyte turnover in autoimmune disease, or the presence of immune complexes formed by β-2M with anti-β-2M antibodies removed by kidneys resulting in a lower percentage of kidney damage [48].…”

Serum Levels of Beta-2 Microglobulin in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and its Relationship with Disease Activity: Can it be used as a Disease Activity Marker?

“…In a study with 100 SLE patients, the serum β2M levels were found significantly higher in SLE patients when compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001), and it was shown that there is a significant correlation between serum β2M levels and SLE activity indices such as anti-dsDNA, complement and hemoglobin levels and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity index (SLE-DAI) [9]. In a study conducted by Aghdashi et al with 50 SLE pa-tients, the serum β2M levels were found to be significantly higher than healthy controls and were related to SLE disease activity (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) [24]. In a similar study by Zychowska et al with 69 SLE patients, it was shown that serum β2M levels correlated with SLEDAI, complement 4 levels and anti-dsD-NA titers [25].…”

“…As most of the free β2M in the circulation is excreted by glomerular filtration, it may be used for measuring the GFR [23]. While the main source of serum free β2M is lymphocytes; an increase in the serum levels may be related either to renal dysfunction or to lymphocyte activation in lymphoproliferative or autoimmune diseases in patients with normal renal function [4,24]. In a study with 100 SLE patients, the serum β2M levels were found significantly higher in SLE patients when compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.001), and it was shown that there is a significant correlation between serum β2M levels and SLE activity indices such as anti-dsDNA, complement and hemoglobin levels and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity index (SLE-DAI) [9].…”

Beta 2 Microglobulin and Cystatin C in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: Correlation with Disease Activity

“…Several studies (2,7,17,18) have revealed that β2MG is linked to disease activity. On the contrary, Wakabayashi et al (19) demonstrated no significant association between serum β2MG level and SLE disease activity.…”