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. 2017 Nov;39(1):566-569.
doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2017.1349675.

Serum ferritin as an activity marker for granulamotosis with polyangiitis

Hamit Kucuk  1 , Ozkan Varan  1 , Berna Goker  1 , Berivan Bitik  1 , Mehmet Akif Ozturk  1 , Seminur Haznedaroglu  1 , Abdurrahman Tufan  1
Affiliations

Serum ferritin as an activity marker for granulamotosis with polyangiitis

Hamit Kucuk et al. Ren Fail. 2017 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Serum ferritin correlates well with the activities of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis, but it has not been previously studied in patients with vasculitis.

Methods: Medical records of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener's granulomatosis) patients with at least six months of regular follow-up were evaluated. The activity of GPA was assessed with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG). Serum ferritin and other acute phase markers were measured at initial presentation.

Results: Serum ferritin levels were found to be the highest in GPA patients with alveolar hemorrhage, median (IQR) 1041 (1281) μg/L. Patients with renal disease also had high levels of ferritin and it was correlated with concurrent glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.65, p < .001). Serum ferritin is also correlated well with the BVAS/WG scores (r = 0.79, p < .001).

Conclusions: Measurement of serum ferritin might help in assessing disease activity of GPA.

Keywords: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis; activity; biomarker; ferritin; vasculitis.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Serum ferritin levels according to visceral involvement. Visceral and multivisceral involvements had significantly higher ferritin levels compared to local/nonsevere involvements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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