الفهرس 
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Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with high heterogeneity that predominantly affects women, especially those of reproductive age (Mok, 2018).
SLE is characterized by autoantibody formation against nuclear antigens with resultant inflammation in organs such as the kidney, skin and joints. SLE is notorious for its markedly heterogeneous clinical phenotype, with a multifactorial etiology that depends on genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences (Hedrich and Tsokos, 2011).
Positive correlations have been reported between interleukin 23(IL-23) levels and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) (Vukelic et al., 2020).
The aim of this study was to assess serum level of IL-23 SLE patients and find its correlation with disease activity, damage and different disease manifestations.
This study was conducted on 40 clinically diagnosed SLE patients and 40 healthy controls.
The patients were diagnosed according to the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Aringer et al., 2019).
All were subjected to full clinical history taking and examination, laboratory investigations in the form of complete blood count, ESR, CRP , ANA , Anti-Ds DNA , C3, C4, liver enzymes , serum creatinine, urine analysis , 24 hours urinary protein measurement.
Renal Biopsy was done when indicated and classified according to the classification of lupus nephritis by the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) (Weening et al., 2004).
Assessment of IL-23 level (in patients and controls) using ELISA technique.
This study demonstrated the following:
o Serum IL-23 levels were higher in SLE patients than healthy subjects.
o There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the interleukin 23 level and age, ESR, SLEDAI, SDI.
o Serum IL-23 level was significantly higher in patients with oral ulcers, alopecia, arthritis, nephritis and positive anti-dsDNA antibodies than in patients lacking these manifestations.
o There was a significant negative correlation between the interleukin 23 level and complements 3&4.
o This present study found that interleukin 23 had a significant role in prediction of the presence of SLE at a cut off 93.1 with sensitivity 80% and specificity 55%.