Prolactin levels and autoantibodies in female patients with systemic lupuserythematosus

We investigated the relationships between prolactin (PRL) levels and antibo dy occurrence in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No significant associa tion between PRL levels and the majority of the autoantibodies studied (ant i-U1 RNP, anti-rRNP, anti-Sm, anti-dsDNA, anti-DNP, auto-LCA, anti-EACA) co uld be confirmed (P > 0.05), anti-Ro/SSA antibodies being an exception. Our results showed significantly increased frequencies of these antibodies in the group of female SLE patients with normal PRL levels (< 20 <mu>g/L): ant i Ro/SSA in 53 % (P < 0.025, <chi>(2) = 5.80, RR = 4.0) and anti-Ro/SSA + a nti-Ro/La in 60 % (P < 0.05, <chi>(2) = 4.05) compared with female SLE pati ents with hyperprolactinemia.