Anti-Carbamylated Protein Antibodies in a Sample of Iraqi Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background:: Systmic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune illness characterized by extensive immune complex deposition and consequent tissue damage. It is distinguished by the presence of antinuclear antibodies and the involvement of several organ systems.Objective: is to assess serum anticarbamylated protein antibody (anti-CarP) level in SLE patients and evaluate the association between anti-CarP antibodies with different disease characteristics.Subjects and Methods: Serum level of anti-CarP antibody was measured for a total of 40 adult female patients with SLE whom attended the Rheumatology Consultation Clinic of Baghdad Teaching Hospital / Medical City, compared with 40 apparently healthy controls matched in ages and sexes to the patients using Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique which is also used to measure serum anti ds-DNA levels. Results: Serological data showed that the serum level of anti-CarP antibody was significantly higher in the SLE patients compared with controls p value (0.001). In SLE patients there was a significant correlation between anti-CarP antibody and both body mass index and serum ds-DNA antibody levels, however, did not correlate with SLEDAI score.Conclusion: Serum anti-Carp antibody level was able to differentiate between patient with SLE and healthy control with sensitivity 80% , specificity 77.50% and accuracy 78%.