OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of disease activity in @entity1252 ( @entity1252 ) @entity1310 is a challenge, and repeated renal biopsies are usually needed in order to confirm a suspicion of flare. In a previous cross-sectional study, we reported that serum soluble form of the @entity6978 (sIL7R) levels is strongly associated with @entity1310 in @entity1252 @entity1 . In the present study, we wanted to confirm the association between changes in serum sIL7R concentrations and @entity8 activity in a large longitudinal cohort of @entity1252 @entity1 . METHODS: Sera were harvested longitudinally in 105 @entity1252 patients. Serum sIL7R cut-off value for the detection of @entity1252 activity was determined as the mean sIL7R concentration in non- @entity1310 @entity1252 @entity1 + 2   SDs using data collected in our previous study. @entity1 with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60   mL/min/1.73   m(2) (n=17) were excluded from the study due to persistently elevated serum @entity13763 7R values. RESULTS: Serum sIL7R concentrations above the renal cut-off value were observed in 25 (out of 88) @entity1 with a normal GFR. These @entity1 had significantly higher serum double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) Ab and urinary protein to @entity1011 (UPC) ratio. Strikingly, 12 of them developed a renal British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index (BILAG) A within the next 3   months, while this was only the case in four out of the 63 other @entity1 (p<0.0001). The test had 75.0% sensitivity and 81.9% specificity for the detection of a renal BILAG A. Combination of serum sIL7R with any of the classical tests (anti-dsDNA Ab titres, UPC ratio, serum C3) resulted in an increased specificity for the detection of a renal flare. Administration of immunosuppressive therapy resulted in a significant decrease in serum sIL7R concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Serum sIL7R is a sensitive and specific marker of @entity8 activity in @entity1252 . Elevated serum sIL7R values in @entity1252 @entity1 are associated with or predict the occurrence of an @entity1252 flare.

sIL7R concentrations in the serum reflect disease activity in the XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity8 :: ('MESH:D007674', 'Disease') :: ['renal disease'] @entity1310 :: ('MESH:D009393', 'Disease') :: ['nephritis'] @entity1252 :: ('MESH:D008180', 'Disease') :: ['SLE', 'systemic lupus erythematosus', 'SLE nephritis'] @entity13763 :: ('6491', 'Gene') :: ['sIL'] @entity6978 :: ('3575', 'Gene') :: ['interleukin-7 receptor'] @entity1011 :: ('MESH:D003404', 'Chemical') :: ['creatinine']
@entity8 :: (MESH:D007674,Disease) :: ['lupus kidney']
