Levels of C-reactive protein and TNF-α in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, connection with cardiovascular system affection

Segeda U.S. ¹, Shevchuk S.V.²

• ¹Науково-дослідний інститут реабілітації інвалідів (навчально-науково-лікувальний комплекс) Вінницького національного медичного університету ім. М.І. Пирогова
• ²National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya

Summary. The aim of the study — to evaluate serum markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and to assess their relationship with cardiovascular system affection in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). 131 patients were enroled into the study, among them 34 (26%) patients with primary APS, 48 (36.6%) — with secondary APS and 49 (37.4%) — with systemic lupus erythematosus without APS. Significant increase of CRP and TNF-α concentrations in patients with APS compared to the control group was established. Significant differences in the average concentrations of CRP and TNF-α among patients without clinical evidence of a cardiovascular and vascular lesions were found. Strong associative connection between diffe­rent classes of antiphospholipid antibodies and increased levels of inflammation markers (CRP, TNF-α) in serum and increasing severity of organ lesions was established. The analysis suggests that increasing concentrations of CRP and TNF-α may serve as predictors of early development of cardiovascular complications in patients with APS and have significant prognostic value in the progression of atherosclerotic process.