Evaluation of the Association between CD4, CD8 and CD25 Cell Counts and SLE in Active Disease and in Remission.

AIM To evaluate the correlation between the levels of CD4, CD8 and CD25 cells and SLE disease in active phase and in remission. METHODS A total of 25 SLE patients, aged between 18-60 years, and fulfilling the ACR criteria with preferential Renal and CNS involvement were included in this study. Baseline CD4/CD8 and CD25 counts, lab parameters etc were conducted. Approximately at the end of 6 months with the settlement of the disease activity blood sample was drawn for the CD4, CD8 and CD25 counts and other lab parameters. RESULTS ESR showed a statistical significant decrease while the SLEDAI score and proteinuria showed a decreasing trend as the patients underwent remission. The C3 showed an increasing trend, while the C4 showed more or less a stable pattern. Rise in %CD4 and %CD25 count was statistically significant. There was negative correlation between % CD4 count and SLEDAI score, while positive correlation between % CD25 count and SLEDAI score. CONCLUSIONS %CD4 count is a sensitive, specific, reliable and valid marker of active disease in SLE and can be used to follow disease activity. %CD25 count can also be used as a marker to follow disease activity.