Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus: relation to single photon emission computed tomography findings
Abstract This study was designed to highlight the relation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to neuropsychiatric lupus (NPLE) manifestations. The relation of TNF-α to the type of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings in this context was also studied. Twenty-one systemic lupus...
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Published in | Modern rheumatology Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 250 - 255 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Informa Healthcare
01.09.2003
Taylor & Francis |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Abstract
This study was designed to highlight the relation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to neuropsychiatric lupus (NPLE) manifestations. The relation of TNF-α to the type of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings in this context was also studied. Twenty-one systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) females, mean age 27.57 ± 9.89 years, and twenty age-matched normal females (controls), were subjected to TNF-α assessment. Different clinical and neuropsychiatric manifestations were evaluated. SPECT was carried out for all patients. The results showed that the mean TNF-α level (pg/ml) was significantly raised in patients compared with controls (167.8 ± 102.5 versus 64 ± 50.2, respectively, P < 0.005). Thirteen patients (69.1%) had NPLE manifestations. NPLE patients had a significantly higher mean TNF-α than patients without NPLE (203 ± 102.8 versus 109 ± 47.3, respectively, P < 0.03). Positive SPECT findings were found in 18 lupus patients (85.7%), including all 13 patients with NPLE (100% sensitivity), with a multiple focal pattern of hypoperfusion being the most frequent type (9/13), followed by diffuse (3/13), and then single focal pattern (1/13). The mean TNF-α was significantly higher in patients with multiple focal pattern (P < 0.001). In conclusion, results of this work support the hypothesis that TNF-α could be involved in the pathogenesis of NPLE, and hence, it could be speculated that the evolving anti-TNF therapy can play a potential role in the management of this disease. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1439-7595 1439-7609 |
DOI: | 10.3109/s10165-003-0231-z |