Few studies have explored the association between lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, most of these studies have investigated only European patient populations and have come to contradictory conclusions. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted on Chinese patient groups. This study aimed to explore the association between serum Lp‐PLA2 activity and SLE in a Chinese patient group.

Serum Lp‐PLA2 activity was detected in 154 SLE patients and 55 age‐, sex‐, and body mass index‐matched healthy controls. Information concerning the anthropometric data, clinical manifestations, SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K), complement C3 (C3), and complement C4 (C4) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and autoantibodies were evaluated.

The average level of serum Lp‐PLA2 activity was 221 ± 56 U/L in SLE patients compared with 160 ± 37 U/L in healthy controls (p < 0.001). SLE patients that presented with nephritis, anemia, and fibrinolytic abnormality had higher serum Lp‐PLA2 activity than SLE patients who did not present with these symptoms (p < 0.05), and the levels of serum Lp‐PLA2 activity correlated with the severity of the clinical manifestations (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between serum Lp‐PLA2 activity and serum autoantibodies levels (p > 0.05). According to Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, ESR, SLEDAI‐2K, C3, and C4 significantly correlated with serum Lp‐PLA2 activity (p < 0.001). According to binary logistic regression, Lp‐PLA2 activity was independently associated with active SLE in patients (OR 1.049; 95% CI: 1.025–1.073, p < 0.001).

Serum Lp‐PLA2 activity is associated with some clinical manifestations (nephritis, anemia, and fibrinolytic abnormality) in SLE patients, and its activity may contribute to the development of SLE disease. These findings provide new insight into the pathogenesis of SLE.

Dermatomyositis‐associated interstitial lung disease (DM‐ILD) represents a severe and insidious complication of dermatomyositis (DM). The study aimed to investigate the association between DM‐ILD and arterial blood gas indices, serum ion levels, and the timing of interstitial lung disease onset, with the goal of identifying potential predictors for DM‐ILD.

The investigation involved the collection of basic data from 89 patients with DM hospitalized at the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2019 and April 2022, and 43 normal control patients hospitalized for physical examinations during the same period. Analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between DM‐ILD, arterial blood gas indices, disease duration, and serum ions. A regression model to predict DM‐ILD was developed using these indices, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated.

Significant differences were observed in pH and PaO₂ between the control group and the disease group (p < 0.05). The DM group exhibited higher levels of pH, actual bicarbonate, and base excess (BE) compared with the control group. In contrast, pH and BE levels were lower in the DM‐ILD group than in the DM group, with these differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Interstitial lung disease was correlated with the duration of the disease and pH levels (p < 0.05). The cutoff values for age, disease duration, pH, and Cl⁻ were 55.5 years, 5.5 years, 7.432, and 101.5 mmol/L, respectively. The model demonstrated a prediction sensitivity and specificity for DM‐ILD of 0.809 and 0.722, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.809.

Arterial blood gas analysis and serum Cl⁻ levels may assist in predicting DM‐ILD. A combined monitoring approach involving arterial blood gas pH, disease duration, age, and serum Cl⁻ levels could enhance the accuracy of DM‐ILD predictions and hold significant clinical evaluation potential.