Anti‐ribosomal P protein antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with hyperferritinemia

Aim Anti‐ribosomal P protein antibodies (anti‐ribo P) have been reported as one of the specific autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has been demonstrated to bind and activate macrophages in vitro. Clinically, hyperferritinemia has been known to be a biomarker for macrophage activation. The aim of this study is to clarify the relationship of anti‐ribo P and clinical characteristics and biomarkers including serum ferritin in patients with SLE. Methods Clinical parameters and laboratory data were measured in patients with active SLE (N = 127) in our university hospital. The risk factors affected by anti‐ribo P were retrospectively calculated by logistic regression analysis, and the correlation of anti‐ribo P and clinical factors was demonstrated. Results Anti‐ribo P was significantly elevated in active SLE compared to non‐SLE diseases (P