Evaluation of prolactin levels in patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris and its correlation with pemphigus disease area index

Abstract

BackgroundProlactin is a hormone; in addition to it known roles, it has immunomodulatory effects on lymphocytes maturation and immunoglobulins production. Hyperprolactinemia has been demonstrated in various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, and Graves’ disease. In view of the prolactin immunomodulatory roles, studying prolactin levels in pemphigus as an autoimmune blistering disease may introduce new ways of understanding disease etiology and developing treatment strategies.ObjectiveOur purpose was to determine the prolactin levels in patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris and study its correlation with pemphigus disease area index.LimitationOur study was limited by the lack of a control group.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, prolactin and anti-desmoglein 1 and 3 autoantibodies levels were measured in 50 patients with newly diagnosed pemphigus vulgaris in Razi Dermatology Hospital. Pemphigus severity and extent was estimated using the Pemphigus Disease Area Index.ResultsOf the 50 patients, 18 were male and 32 were female with a mean age of 41.56 ± 13.66 years. Mean prolactin (PRL) level was 15.60 ± 11.72 ng/ml (10.68 in males and 18.37 in females). Mean anti-desmoglein 1 and 3 autoantibodies were 135.8 ± 119.8 and 245.8 ± 157.4 U/ml, respectively. Eleven out of 50 patients had a higher than normal prolactin range. No relation was found between prolactin level and disease activity (p = .982). Also, correlation studies show no relation between prolactin and anti-desmoglein 1 and 3 autoantibodies levels (respectively, p = .771 and .738). In comparing the extent of the disease between the two groups with normal and high prolactin, paired t-test showed no significance (p = .204).ConclusionIn our study, 22% of patients had hyperprolactinemia, which was greater among females. The highest PRL level was detected in mucocutaneous group. Although serum PRL levels were higher in patients with a greater Pemphigus Disease Area Index, it did not reach statistical significance.

Hyperprolactinaemia

“…A small study demonstrated higher levels of the PRL-R in patients with alopecia areata compared to controls, and levels of the PRL-R were correlated with disease severity [154]. Patients with pemphigus vulgaris have also been shown to have higher PRL compared with controls [155]. The pathophysiological significance of these findings remains to be elucidated.…”

Serum Prolactin Concentration in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris

“…In another study, Jacobi et al 17 found mean prolactin level 17.4±15.1 ng/ml. Lajevardi et al 18 also found that mean prolactin (PRL) level was 15.60±11.72ng/ml. Ghandi et al 19 found mean serum PRL level 15.9±14.1 ng/ml.…”