Prolactin as a marker of active disease in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Objetives. To determine the correlation between prolactin levels and disease activity classified based on the Mexican lupus erythematosus disease systemic activity index (MEX SLEDAI).Methods. In this cross-sectional observational study, serum prolactin, age, sex, treatment, as well as manifestations of active disease were determined. Disease activity was evaluated using the Mexican Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI). The correlation of MEX-SLEDAI with prolactin was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The significance of differences between continuous variables was determined with the non-paired Student’s t test and the significance of differences between categorical variables was determined with Chi-square test.Results. 55 patients were included, 10 (18.1%) had MEX-SLEDAI ≥ 7 and 45 (81.8%) less than 7. A positive correlation was found with a Spearman rho 0.387 (p = 0.004) between the MEX-SLEDAI and the levels serum prolactin. Subjects with active disease and hyperprolactinemia had 80% manifestations at the renal level (p = 0.001).Conclusion. There is significant correlation between prolactin levels and disease activity. Hyperprolactinemia were detected in patients with renal activity as well as those with MEX-SLEDAI ≥ 7.