Decreased Uric Acid and Phosphorus Levels in Active Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to investigate serum phosphate and uric acid levels (UA) in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) and to ascertain their relationship, if any, with disease activity and lupus nephritis.
METHODS: Included in the study were 18 children with jSLE who were investigated retrospectively during the active phase (AP) and remission phase (RP) of jSLE.
RESULTS: Serum phosphate and UA levels were found to be significantly lower in AP than in the RP (2.5±0.3/4.2±0.08 mg/dL, p=0.0001 and 2.9±0.3/5±0.2 mg/dL, p=0.0001, respectively). Serum phosphate levels were strongly correlated with serum albumin levels (r=0.772, p=0.0001) and platelet count (r=0.735, p=0.001) and negative associated with D-dimer (r=−0.750, p=0.0001) in AP. No correlation was identified between serum phosphate and UA or creatinine levels in patients with AP, while serum phosphate and UA levels were similar in children with and without nephritis (p>0.05). Serum phosphate levels were correlated with platelet count and UA levels and were inversely related with D-dimer levels in jSLE patients with nephritis (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Serum phosphate and UA levels can reflect the activation and low serum levels may be useful biomarkers for the detection of AP in jSLE patients with and without nephritis.