Serum ferritin as an activity marker for granulamotosis with polyangiitis

Abstract

Background: Serum ferritin correlates well with the activities of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis, but it has not been previously studied in patients with vasculitis.Methods: Medical records of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, Wegener’s granulomatosis) patients with at least six months of regular follow-up were evaluated. The activity of GPA was assessed with Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s Granulomatosis (BVAS/WG). Serum ferritin and other acute phase markers were measured at initial presentation.Results: Serum ferritin levels were found to be the highest in GPA patients with alveolar hemorrhage, median (IQR) 1041 (1281) μg/L. Patients with renal disease also had high levels of ferritin and it was correlated with concurrent glomerular filtration rate (r = −0.65, p < .001). Serum ferritin is also correlated well with the BVAS/WG scores (r = 0.79, p < .001).Conclusions: Measurement of serum ferritin might help in assessing disease activity of GPA.