D-dimer Assay and Complete Blood Count among Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems with immune complexes and a large array of autoantibodies. Haematological abnormalities are common findings in patients with SLE with increased risk for thrombosis. The study aimed to evaluate the risk of thrombosis and haematological changes on women with Systemic lupus erythematosus. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical case control study carried out in Khartoum state in military hospital, in the period from August to December 2017. Thirty women diagnosed with SLE and thirty matched control group were recruited in this study. EDTA and citrated blood samples were collected from each patient and control for Complete blood count and D-dimer. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: The mean of D-dimer in SLE patients was (379ng/ml) and in control was (89.58ng/ml) that showed significant increased (P value = 0.00) in SLE patient than control group. Moreover, the highest level of D-dimer (936.5 ng/ml) was related to the most clinical severity patients with significant association between severity of disease and D-dimer level (P value= 0.00). The means of Haemoglobin, Packed cell volume, Total white blood cells, Thrombocyte, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio for SLE patients were 11.6 g/dl, 36.3%, 5.78 x 109/L, 262 x 109/L, (3.33) respectively, while the means of the same parameters in the same order for the control were 11.96 g/dl, 35.75%, 5.42x109/L, 288x109/L, (1.61) respectively. No significant differences between patients and controls in CBC, all P values was (P value > 0.05) except in N/L ratio which was significantly increased in patients (P value= 0.026). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in D-dimer level and CBC in between group of medication and duration of disease, also there were no significant differences in severity of disease for CBC, all P values (P value > 0.05). Adding to that, there were no significant differences in D-dimer on the different haematological situation (P value > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that, there was a significant increase in the Ddimer level among women with SLE and it is associated to the clinical severity of the disease, also there were no significant differences between patients and control group in CBC.