SERIAL FOLLOW UP OF SOLUBLE THROMBOMODULIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Plasma thrombomodulin (TM), a marker of disease activity and endothelial damage, was measured in follow up of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Plasma levels of TM were measured by ELISA method using the mouse antithrombomodulin monoclonal antibody in the group of 52 lupus patients. Disease activity was assessed by European Consensus Lupus Activity Measurement (ECLAM) and levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies and C3 and C4 complement components were investigated. Correlation between thrombomodulin plasma levels and disease activity index was found (r = 0.69 p = 0.00001). Stable and low levels of TM were found in the subgroup of patients with low stabile disease x = 32.0 (± 11.56) ng/ml with no trend to significant change. In the subgroup