SLE is a multi-system autoimmune disease, with complex etio-pathogenesis, variable clinical presentations, severity, and treatment responses.
Aim of the work: To assess the serum level of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) among SLE patients, and its relation to disease activity, renal involvement, peripheral vascular affection, and other disease characteristics.
Patients and methods: The current study included 50 SLE patients and 50 healthy controls. The patients included were diagnosed according to the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria for SLE diagnosis. patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, nailfold capillaroscopy assessment, and renal biopsy. Disease activity was assessed by (SLEDAI-SELENA) modification. M-CSF levels were measured (in patients and controls) using ELISA technique.
Results: The mean age of SLE patients was 33.9±10.8 years; they were 47 females and 3 males; disease duration was 5.9±5.4 years; and 12% of SLE patients had a positive family history. Cutaneous and musculo-skeletal manifestations were among the most common clinical manifestations. Class IV was the most common histopathological finding. Abnormal nailfold capillaroscopy findings were found in 92% of SLE patients; minor changes were more common than major ones. M.CSF levels were elevated among SLE patients than healthy controls with a p-value <0.05, and their levels significantly related to different renal biopsy classes, with higher levels in patients with class V, IV, and III, respectively.
Conclusion: M.CSF level was elevated among SLE patients compared with healthy controls with a p-value <0.05, and was significantly related to different renal biopsy classes.