Urinary TWEAK; Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Evaluating Lupus Nephritis Case Control Study

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a multifunctional cytokine that belongs to the TNF-ligand superfamily. Objective: To evaluate ability urinary TWEAK (uTWEAK) diagnose lupus nephritis (LN) and its correlation with activity chronicity index. Patients Methods: This study was carried out on 75 individuals, 50 SLE patients, fulfilling SLICC revision ACR classification criteria for SLEand25 age sex matched apparently healthy control subjects. Patients were assessed by disease index (SLEDAI-2K) score. Renal biopsy done patients who have confirmed proteinuria >0.5 g in 24-hour urine samples or active sediment inexplicable decrease renal function. UrinaryTWEAK levels measured ELISA. Results: uTWEAK level showed highly statistical significant difference among groups (P<0.001). There direct correlations between total (t)SLEDAI (r=0.58, P< 0.001) (r)SLEDAI (r=0.73, P<0.001). hadsignificant association presence proliferative GN (Class III, IV) (p= 0.003). At cutoff point ≥ 9.9 pg/mg Cr, had sensitivity 76% specificity 60 % nephritis. ≤ 14.9 88% predict good response treatment LN patients. Conclusion: We concluded candidate biomarker evaluating LN. It possesses numerous properties make it suitable assessment prognosis.