NO CORRELATION BETWEEN PROLACTIN LEVELS AND CLINICAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objective. To assess the frequency of hyperprolactinemia and its possi ble clinical significance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosu s (SLE). Methods. Concentrations of prolactin (PRL) were determined in 63 consecutive patients with SLE by an immunoradiometric assay. Antin uclear antibodies, anti-DNA, ribonucleoprotein, Sm, Ro, La, and antica rdiolipin antibodies were determined by standard techniques, PRL conce ntrations were correlated with SLE clinical and serological activity. Results. Elevated serum concentrations of PRL (> 20 ng/ml) were found in 10 of 63 (15.9%) patients [21 to 57 ng/ml, mean (SD) 35.6 (13.4)]. No direct correlation between PRL levels and clinical disease activity of SLE was found (Pearson correlation r = -0.186, NS). In addition, h yperprolactinemia was not associated with serological activity. Conclu sion. Mild hyperprolactinemia is present in a subset of patients with SLE but its clinical significance is still uncertain.