Oxford University Press (OUP), Rheumatology, 4(47), p. 484-487
DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ken023
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OBJECTIVES: To study serum levels of leptin and ghrelin in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with AAV (21 patients with active AAV at initial presentation and during follow-up, 16 patients with AAV in long-term remission) and 21 matched healthy controls were included. Serum levels of leptin and ghrelin were measured at 0, 6 and 12 months by radioimmunoassay. Disease activity was gauged by Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), CRP and circulating endothelial cells (CECs). RESULTS: Leptin levels were significantly lower in patients than in healthy controls (9.1 +/- 6.1 vs 22.3 +/- 22.4 ng/ml; P