Title:Candidate Biomarkers for Fatigue in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Critical Review
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mary A. Mahieu*Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman
Affiliation:
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, 240 E. Huron St. Suite M-300, Chicago, IL 60611,United States
Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus, fatigue, biomarkers, adipokines, glutathione, iron deficiency, vitamin D.
Abstract: Fatigue impacts 80-90% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and an
incomplete understanding of fatigue mechanisms limits effective treatment. Disease activity indices
and laboratory markers inconsistently correlate with fatigue severity in SLE populations. Identification
of fatigue biomarkers has important implications for understanding pathogenesis and defining
novel therapeutic targets, but a paucity of evidence exists for fatigue biomarkers in SLE. The evidence
for adipokines, reduced glutathione, iron deficiency, and vitamin D as potential biomarkers for
SLE-related fatigue are reviewed. To address gaps in the SLE literature, the experience of each fatigue
biomarker in other diseases is examined. Finally, biomarker associations with SLE pathogenesis
and disease activity are discussed, as further rationale for investigation among SLE patients.
