Lipoprotein (a) in Behcet's disease as an indicator of disease activity and in thrombotic complications

PURPOSE. TO evaluate the utility of plasma concentrations of lipoprotein (a ) (Lp(a)) as an indicator of disease activity in Behcet's disease and to in vestigate its role in thrombotic complications of this disease. METHODS. 30 patients (19 male, 11 female) with Behcet's disease (8 active, 22 inactive) were enrolled in the study group and 30 healthy individuals (1 6 male, 14 female) in the control group. Seven of the inactive Behcet's dis ease patients had a history of thrombotic complications. The disease activi ty was evaluated by clinical manifestations (oral aphthous lesions, genital ulcerations, uveitis and vasculitis) and laboratory investigations (leucoc yte count, lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein (CRP), complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) concentrations). RESULTS. Plasma Lp(a) and other acute phase reactant concentrations were si gnificantly higher in the study group than in the controls (p < 0.01). Thes e concentrations were also higher during the active period of the disease t han during the inactive phase (p < 0.01). Lp(a) concentrations were signifi cantly correlated with concentrations of other acute phase reactants. There was no difference between the groups with and without thrombotic complicat ions for any of these measurements. CONCLUSIONS. Plasma levels of Lp(a) might be an indicator of disease activi ty in Behcet's disease. There is no correlation between Lp(a) levels and th rombotic sequela in inactive Behcet's disease. However, further studies are needed on the thrombogenic role of Lp(a) during the active phase of thromb ophlebitis, and in larger series.