PDN-21 IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS TREATED WITH GLUCOCORTICOIDS

Objective. To determine if there were changes in PDN-21 and calcitonin levels in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticoids.Methods. Concentrations of PDN-21 and calcitonin were studied in 52 premenopausal women with SLE treated with glucocorticoid s. Bone mineral density analysis was performed by dual energy x-ray ab sorptiometry, Results. The values of PDN-21 in the SLE group were 354. 6 +/- 230.6 pg/ml, significantly higher than healthy women(66.7 +/- 56 .8 pg/ml) (p < 0.001). There was no difference in calcitonin values be tween the SLE and control groups. Conclusion. Glucocorticoid therapy i n patients with SLE causes increases of PDN-21, probably due in part t o the effect on the gastric mucosa of this treatment and subsequent se cretion of gastrin.