Circulating IL 6 and IL 23 Levels in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and Association with Disease Activity

Abstract

Background: SLE is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by immune mediated tissue damage. Objectives: to determine the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-23 in SLE patients and to evaluate their association with disease parameters and activity. Methodology: The study included sixty participants that were divided into (30) SLE patients and (30) healthy controls (HCs). Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) was assessed. Serum IL-6 and IL-23 level were measured by ELISA in all participants. Results: The SLE patients were 28 females and 2 males with a mean age of 34±11 years. Thirty healthy controls were 27 females and 3 males with a mean age of 40±7 years. The mean disease duration was 6.31± 5.36 with the mean SLEDI-2K 9±7.24 patients had active disease, 73.3% had mucocutaneous manifestations as malar rash, alopecia and oral ulcers, 70% had arthritis, 10% had neuropsychiatric lupus and 17 cases had lupus nephritis confirmed by renal biopsy. IL-6 and IL-23 serum levels were significantly increased in SLE patients than the control group (p < 0.001). Serum IL-6 and IL-23 significantly discriminated SLE patients from healthy controls at a cut-off value of 112.5ng/L and 121.82 ng/L respectively with 83.3% and 96.7% sensitivity and 80% and 90% specificity respectively.Conclusion: Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-23 were elevated in SLE patients in comparison to control group and might be potential biomarkers for disease activity monitoring in SLE patients.