Serum ferritin as an activity marker for granulamotosis with polyangiitis

Abstract

Background: Serum ferritin correlates well with the activities of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis, but it has not been previously studied in patients with vasculitis. Methods: Medical records of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener’s granulomatosis) patients with at least six months of regular follow-up were evaluated. The activity of GPA was assessed with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG). Serum ferritin and other acute phase markers were measured at initial presentation. Results: Serum ferritin levels were found to be the highest in GPA patients with alveolar hemorrhage, median (IQR) 1041 (1281) lg/L. Patients with renal disease also had high levels of ferritin and it was correlated with concurrent glomerular filtration rate (r ¼ 0.65, p