SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR AS A PARAMETER FOR DISEASE-ACTIVITY INTHE SERUM OF SYSTEMIC AND DISCOID LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

The evaluation of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SL E) is important for selection of the appropriate therapeutic regimen. In addition to the clinical picture, various laboratory parameters are taken into account. However, no validated criteria for the evaluation of the disease activity in SLE have yet been established. Recently, s erum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) have been propo sed as a potential parameter for disease activity in SLE. However, the studies reported on this subject so far have focused mainly on certai n subsets of the disease, and the evaluation of the disease activity w as based on a very limited number of parameters. In the present study, we determined serum levels of sIL-2R in 23 patients with SLE and 30 p atients with discoid LE (DLE). Evaluation of disease activity in SLE w as based on a comprehensive scale which considered numerous clinical s igns and laboratory parameters. In SLE, serum levels of sIL-2R showed a better correlation with disease activity than all the other paramete rs investigated, including proteinuria, erythrocyte sedimentation rate , serum globulin concentration, titre of antibodies against double-str anded DNA, serum albumin concentration, serum complement levels and wh ite blood cell count. For the first time, we report on elevated serum levels of sIL-2R in DLE, which also correlated with disease activity.