History

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypical multisystem autoimmune disease, with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations affecting virtually all organs and tissues. Determination of integrin-linked kinase 1 (ILK-1) and anti-smith antibody (ASAB) levels in serum of Iraqi patients with systemic lupus erythematosus; that ILK-1 may serve as a diagnostic marker for SLE disease; and evaluation of the impact of systemic lupus erythematosus on renal function in these patients. This study included 100 female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus from the Rheumatology Unit at the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, (Baghdad), as well as 30 healthy females without any chronic diseases who served as the control group. All study participants' ages ranged between 18 and 48 years. Using Rheuma Helper, all patients were classified based on the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) severity into 30 female patients with mild stage (G1), 40 female patients with moderate stage (G2), and 30 female patients with severe stage (G3).  (G3). Results: As compared to the control (C) group, the G1, G2, and G3 patient groups in the current investigation showed a substantial increase in the levels of dsDNA, ANA, ASAB, ILK-1, urea, and uric acid. Comparing the control group to G1, G2, and G3, the levels of creatinine did not differ. The current results showed that there were various significant comparisons between ILK-1 and other study parameters in the control and patient groups. ROC test for ILK-1 and ASAB markers showed a perfect cut-off value with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Conclusions: TK-1 may be helpful as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of SLE disease, and there was a positive correlation between ILK-1 with urea and creatinine which are considered factors of renal damage. As a result, these patients may be at risk for renal failure at a severe stage. This indicates that SLE disease has an impact on kidney function.