Levels of lupus autoantibodies in pregnant SLE patients: Correlations with disease activity and pregnancy outcome

To follow the levels of lupus autoantibodies throughout pregnancy in a large cohort of pregnant SLE patients, and to examine whether they correlate with disease activity and pregnancy outcome. Methods: 54 pregnancies in 46 SLE patients, and 70 control pregnant women were followed in the study. All patients were receiving steroid treatment. Titers of antibodies to ssDNA. dsDNA, histones, cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylserine (PS) were determined at the first, second, and third trimester and post-partum by ELISA. Results: Overall the average levels of autantibodies in all the patients were within the normal range, except for the average levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies which were elevated during the second trimester. Eight women (14.5%) had active disease during pregnancy, and there was u significant correlation between the levels of anti-dsDNA and the risk of disease activity (p = 0.0225). There were 7 fetal losses. There was a tendency for correlation between elevated anti-dsDNA levels, and anti-CL levels and the risk of fetal loss; however, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0685, and 0.0881, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and the risk of preterm delivery (p = 0,0331). Conclusions: Pregnancy in SLE patients is associated with significant complications to both the mother and the fetus. Anti-dsDNA levels seem to correlate with the risk of disease exacerbation, and prematurity. Elevated levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-CL may suggest an increase risk of fetal loss.