Atherosclerosis is accelerated in patients with long-term well-controlled systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It is uncertain whether atherosclerosis is accelerated in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients with long-term well-controlled systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS:

We measured the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries and the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in 39 women with SLE and in age- and sex-matched controls.

RESULTS:

In the premenopausal state, carotid plaque was detected only in SLE patients (36%). In the postmenopausal state, the maximum IMT was about 2-fold greater in SLE patients than in control subjects (1.3+/-0.7 vs. 0.7+/-0.2 mm, p<0.001). CAVI was higher in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal SLE patients. The serum amyloid A protein (SAA) was higher in SLE patients in the premenopausal state (p=0.025), while remnant like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C), the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and SAA were significantly increased in postmenopausal SLE patients (p=0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the maximum IMT was associated with cumulative PSL dosage (p=0.027) and SAA (p=0.074) in the premenopausal SLE patients, and with HOMA-IR (p<0.001) in the postmenopausal SLE patients.

CONCLUSION:

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in long-term well-controlled SLE. More attention should be given to subclinical inflammation and insulin resistance in the management of SLE patients.

• Authors: Hiroe Sato, Takashi Miida, Yoko Wada, Mitsuya Maruyama, Shuichi Murakami, Hisashi Hasegawa, Takeshi Kuroda, Ichiei Narita, Masaaki Nakano, Fumitake Gejyo
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta) Vol. 385 Issue 1-2 Pg. 35-42 (Oct 2007) ISSN: 0009-8981 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17644082 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Lipoproteins

Topics

• Adult
• Atherosclerosis (blood, complications, pathology)
• Biomarkers
• Blood Coagulation
• Carotid Artery Diseases (pathology)
• Chronic Disease (therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Inflammation (pathology)
• Insulin Resistance
• Lipoproteins (blood)
• Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (blood, complications, pathology, therapy)
• Menopause
• Regression Analysis
• Time Factors