Anaemia is a common hematological abnormality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AHA) is one of the types of anaemia in SLE. Other reasons of anaemia in SLE are: chronic inflammatory diseases, insufficient level of elements necessary for erythropoiesis and chronic renal disease. The aim of the study was to examine the relations between severity of anemia and presence of certain antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in SLE. The study group consisted of 24 patients (one man and 23 women) with active lupus. Anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-02 glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-beta2 GPI IgM and IgG) and red cell parameters: haemoglobin level (Hb), erythrocytes (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin mass (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and ferritin level were measured before beginning or intensification of treatment. The activity of SLE was measured by SLEDAI and C3 complements. The patients were divided into two subgroups: subgroup with aCL-IgG above 20 u/ml and below 20 u/ml. In patients with aCL-IgG above 20 u/ml the mean Hb level was lower, and the mean ferritin level was significantly higher than in patients with aCL-IgG level below 20 u/ml. We observed a negative, significant correlations between Hb and aCL-IgG (p = 0.01; R = -0.47) and between Hb and anti-32 GPI IgG (p = 0,0003; R = -0,67) and a negative correlation between Hb and activity of SLE estimated by SLEDAI (p = 0.02; R = -0.45) and positive between Hb and C3 complement (p = 0.02; R = +0.5).
In conclusion: antiphospholipid antibodies presence in patients with SLE can influence the severity of anaemia.