Study of serum syndecan-1 levels in a group of Egyptian juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients

•SDC-1 might be a reliable marker for monitoring disease activity in JSLE.•SDC-1 might be a reliable marker for monitoring renal activity in lupus nephritis.•SDC-1 might serve as a prognostic tool and a general guide to therapy in JSLE.

The aim of the study was to assess the serum levels of Syndecan-1 in a group of Egyptian juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) patients and to study any possible associations with disease activity, renal activity and organ damage. Serum level of Syndecan-1 was assessed in 60 Egyptian JSLE patients and 30 apparently healthy age and gender matched children using ELISA. SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 (SLEDAI-2K), renal SLEDAI-2K, renal activity score and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index were assessed for all patients. Serum SDC-1 levels were higher in patients with JSLE than in healthy controls (p < 0.001) and were positively correlated with SLEDAI-2K (p < 0.001), with renal SLEDAI score (p = 0.008) and renal activity score (p = 0.04). So, Syndecan-1 might be used as a marker for disease activity and renal activity in JSLE patients.