scholarly journals An analysis of the metabolic syndrome phenotype in systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1459-1465 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Parker ◽  
Y Ahmad ◽  
J Shelmerdine ◽  
H Edlin ◽  
AP Yates ◽  
...  

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) not fully explained by classic risk factors. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of CHD in the general population and whilst its prevalence is increased in SLE, its phenotypic expression may differ. We studied 200 women with SLE and 100 controls and compared the prevalence of MetS and its individual components. We examined whether any SLE features were associated with MetS and whether MetS in SLE patients was associated with carotid plaque. Patients with SLE were more likely to meet the MetS criteria (age-adjusted OR 2.1 (1.1–3.8)). However, this was not due to increased central obesity (median waist circumference 84 cm vs. 82 cm, p = 0.65) but rather increased prevalence of hypertension ( p <0.01) and low HDL-cholesterol ( p = 0.01). In a multivariable analysis, age, disease duration, low complement C3 and corticosteroid use ever, were associated with the presence of MetS in SLE. Overall MetS was not associated with the presence of carotid plaque in either SLE or controls. We have shown that MetS is more prevalent in SLE, but the lupus-MetS phenotype reflects risk factor changes driven by disease activity and steroid exposure, rather than obesity. Reliance on clinical measures of central obesity to consider MetS in SLE is not reliable and continued attention to individual CHD risk factors is recommended.

2005 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Wagner Silva de Souza ◽  
Francisca Satomi Hatta ◽  
Fausto Miranda Jr. ◽  
Emília Inoue Sato

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. No previous study has estimated carotid disease prevalence in such patients in Brazil. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaque in carotid arteries, in SLE patients and controls, and to verify possible associations between risk factors and carotid plaque. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study, at Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina. METHODS: Carotid plaque prevalence was assessed by B-mode ultrasound in 82 female SLE patients of mean age 34.0 years and 62 controls of mean age 35.7 years. Plaque was defined as a distinct area of hyperechogenicity and/or focal protrusion of the vessel wall into the lumen. Risk factors for coronary disease and SLE-related variables were determined. RESULTS: 50% of patients and 29% of controls presented carotid plaque. Older age, longer disease duration, higher Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) score, higher levels of low-density lipoprotein and greater diabetes, obesity, premature ovarian failure and family history of coronary artery disease were found in patients with carotid plaque than in those without plaque. Patients with plaque were younger than controls with plaque. SLE diagnosis, obesity, older age, higher SLICC score and longer disease duration were independent risk factors for carotid plaque. CONCLUSION: Young patients with SLE present higher prevalence of carotid plaque than controls. SLE diagnosis was a significant risk factor for carotid atherosclerosis.


Lupus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-66
Author(s):  
J Nordqvist ◽  
M K Lagerquist ◽  
L Grahnemo ◽  
A Koskela ◽  
U Islander ◽  
...  

Background/objective Postmenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus have an increased risk of osteoporosis and associated fractures. Their increased osteoporosis risk is probably caused by a high level of inflammation, use of glucocorticoids, impaired kidney function, and early menopause as these are known risk factors for osteoporosis. Due to these risk factors and the lack of safe and effective treatments, new therapies for the treatment of osteoporosis in this group of patients are needed. Ovariectomized MRL/ lpr mice constitute a well-established model for studies of postmenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus; however, it is not clear to what extent this experimental model is associated with the development of osteoporosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the skeleton of ovariectomized MRL/ lpr mice to determine the suitability of this model in studies of prospective new therapies for osteoporosis in postmenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Methods Skeletal parameters were measured in MRL/ lpr mice and MRL/++ control mice, using peripheral quantitative computed tomography, high-resolution micro-computed tomography and biomechanical analyses. mRNA expression of bone-remodeling markers was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and serological markers of lupus disease were evaluated using ELISA. Results Total bone mineral density was reduced in MRL/ lpr mice compared with MRL/++ mice and MRL/ lpr mice had reduced cortical and trabecular bone thickness compared with MRL/++ mice. In line with the low bone mass of MRL/ lpr mice, gene expression analysis of cortical bone from these mice indicated an increased osteoclast activity as well as a decreased osteoblastogenesis and osteoblast activity, compared with MRL/++ mice. Conclusion Ovariectomized MRL/ lpr mice constitute a valuable experimental model for studies of osteoporosis development in postmenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus and this model is thus suitable for future studies of osteoporosis treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myrto Kostopoulou ◽  
Dionysis Nikolopoulos ◽  
Ioannis Parodis ◽  
George Bertsias

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk for accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) events including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular and peripheral artery disease. CV events occur both early and late during the disease course, with younger patients being at much higher risk than age-matched counterparts. The risk cannot be fully accounted for by the increased prevalence of traditional atherosclerotic factors and may be due to pathophysiologic intermediates such as type I interferons and other inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, activated granulocytes and production of extracellular chromatin traps, antiphospholipid and other autoantibodies causing dysfunction of lipoproteins, altogether resulting in endothelial injury and pro-atherogenic dyslipidaemia. These mechanisms may be further aggravated by chronic intake of prednisone (even at doses <7.5 mg/day), whereas immunomodulatory drugs, especially hydroxychloroquine, may exert antiatherogenic properties. To date, there is a paucity of randomized studies regarding the effectiveness of preventative strategies and pharmacological interventions specifically in patients with SLE. Nevertheless, both the European League Against Rheumatism recommendations and extrapolated evidence from the general population emphasize that SLE patients should undergo regular monitoring for atherosclerotic risk factors and calculation of the 10-year CV risk. Risk stratification should include diseaserelated factors and accordingly, general (lifestyle modifications/smoking cessation, antihypertensive and statin treatment, low-dose aspirin in selected cases) and SLE-specific (control of disease activity, minimization of glucocorticoids, use of hydroxychloroquine) preventive measures be applied as appropriate. Further studies will be required regarding the use of non-invasive tools and biomarkers for CV assessment and of risk-lowering strategies tailored to SLE.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Croca ◽  
Anisur Rahman

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem, autoimmune disease known to be one of the strongest risk factors for atherosclerosis. Patients with SLE have an excess cardiovascular risk compared with the general population, leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although the precise explanation for this is yet to be established, it seems to be associated with the presence of an accelerated atherosclerotic process, arising from the combination of traditional and lupus-specific risk factors. Moreover, cardiovascular-disease associated mortality in patients with SLE has not improved over time. One of the main reasons for this is the poor performance of standard risk stratification tools on assessing the cardiovascular risk of patients with SLE. Therefore, establishing alternative ways to identify patients at increased risk efficiently is essential. With recent developments in several imaging techniques, the ultimate goal of cardiovascular assessment will shift from assessing symptomatic patients to diagnosing early cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic patients which will hopefully help us to prevent its progression. This review will focus on the current status of the imaging tools available to assess cardiac and vascular function in patients with SLE.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-172
Author(s):  
Maureen McMahon ◽  
Richard Seto ◽  
Brian J. Skaggs

Abstract There is a well-known increased risk for cardiovascular disease that contributes to morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Major adverse cardiovascular events and subclinical atherosclerosis are both increased in this patient population. While traditional cardiac risk factors do contribute to the increased risk that is seen, lupus disease-related factors, medications, and genetic factors also impact the overall risk. SLE-specific inflammation, including oxidized lipids, cytokines, and altered immune cell subtypes all are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques. Research is ongoing to identify biomarkers that can help clinicians to predict which SLE patients are at the greatest risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While SLE-specific treatment regimens for the prevention of cardiovascular events have not been identified, current strategies include minimization of traditional cardiac risk factors and lowering of overall lupus disease activity.


2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTA VADACCA ◽  
DOMENICO MARGIOTTA ◽  
AMELIA RIGON ◽  
FABIO CACCIAPAGLIA ◽  
GIUSY COPPOLINO ◽  
...  

Objective.To study concentrations of adipokines in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the relationship among adipokines, the metabolic syndrome (MeS), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.Methods.We enrolled 50 SLE patients and 26 controls, all women. Leptin, resistin, visfatin, and adiponectin were measured by commercial ELISA kits.Results.MeS prevalence was increased among subjects with SLE. Leptin levels were higher in patients with SLE than controls. Among SLE patients, independent determinants of leptin were insulin levels (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.03), body mass index (p = 0.02), corticosteroid dosage (p = 0.02), and SLE Disease Activity Index (p = 0.005). Other adipokines did not differ between SLE patients and controls.Conclusion.Leptin was increased in SLE patients and could play a role in SLE-related cardiovascular diseases.


Lupus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1644-1651 ◽  
Author(s):  
H H Kwon ◽  
S Y Bang ◽  
S Won ◽  
Y Park ◽  
J H Yi ◽  
...  

Objectives Avascular necrosis (AVN) is one of the most common causes of organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and often causes serious physical disability. The aims of this study were to investigate clinical risk factors associated with symptomatic AVN and to analyze their synergistic effects in a large SLE cohort in Korea. Methods Patients with SLE were enrolled and followed from 1998 to 2014 in the Hanyang BAE Lupus cohort, and damage was measured annually according to the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI). AVN was confirmed by imaging study if patients had symptoms. To determine risk factors for AVN, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic variables were analyzed by logistic regression. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S) were calculated to measure interactions between significant variables. Results Among 1219 SLE patients, symptomatic AVN was the most common type of musculoskeletal damage (10.8%, n = 132). SLE patients with AVN showed an earlier onset age, demonstrated AVN more commonly in conjunction with certain other clinical manifestations such as renal and neuropsychiatric disorders, and received significantly higher total cumulative corticosteroid dose and immunosuppressive agents than did patients without AVN. However, in multivariable analysis, only two variables including use of a cumulative corticosteroid dose greater than 20 g (odds ratio (OR) 3.62, p = 0.015) and use of immunosuppressants including cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil (OR 4.51, p < 0.001) remained as significant risk factors for AVN. Patients with cumulative corticosteroid dose > 20 g and immunosuppressant use had a 15.44-fold increased risk for AVN, compared with patients without these risk factors ( p < 0.001). RERI, AP and S, which define the strength of interactions between two risk factors, were 9.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–16.73), 0.58 (95% CI 0.36–0.81) and 2.66 (95% CI 1.42–4.99), respectively, supporting the presence of synergistic interactions in the development of symptomatic AVN in our Korean lupus cohort. Conclusions An individual risk assessment for AVN development should be made prior to and during treatment for SLE, especially in patients with high-dose corticosteroid and immunosuppressant use regardless of clinical manifestations and disease activity.


Lupus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Y.F. Huang ◽  
Y.S. Chang ◽  
W.S. Chen ◽  
Y.P. Tsao ◽  
W.H. Wang ◽  
...  

Objective The objective of this paper is to investigate the incidence rate, risk factors and outcome of osteomyelitis among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and methods We conducted a cohort study using data for patients enrolled in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database from 2000 to 2012. Patients with SLE and age- and sex-matched controls without SLE were enrolled. Primary endpoint was the first occurrence of osteomyelitis. Risks of osteomyelitis in SLE patients were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards regression models, including age, sex, comorbidities and medications. Results Among 24,705 SLE patients (88.4% women, mean age 35.8 years) with a median follow-up of 9.1 years, 386 patients had osteomyelitis. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of osteomyelitis in the SLE group vs the control group was 8.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.24–10.05). The SLE group had higher incidence rates of osteomyelitis than the control group, especially in pediatric subgroups (IRR 41.1 95% CI 18.57–107.35). Compared to controls, SLE patients experienced osteomyelitis at a younger age (42.3 vs 58.1 years) but did not have an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio 0.7; 95% CI 0.21–2.38). Age >60 years, male gender, malignancy within five years, prior bone fracture and higher daily prednisolone dose (>7.5 mg) cumulatively for >180 days increased risk for osteomyelitis. Conclusions SLE patients have a higher IRR of osteomyelitis than controls. Pediatric and elder SLE patients, patients with a history of bone fracture, malignancy within five years and higher-dose glucocorticoid use have a higher risk of osteomyelitis and should be carefully monitored.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document