Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune systemic disease associated with premature atherosclerosis. Risk factors include dyslipoproteinemia, inflammation, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), hyperhomocysteinemia and antiphospholipid antibodies. Hyperlipidemic condition is being reported to promote the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-27 and lowering blood lipid levels improves the disease. Oxidative stress is elevated, mainly due to mitochondrial dysfunction, further disrupting lipid metabolism. Some drugs also have an impact on lipid profile, such as chronic steroid use, which worsens LDL, HDL, and TG levels.Objectives:To assess the relationship between lipid profile and disease activity in juvenile SLE (jSLE) patients.Methods:Retrospective study of jSLE patients, fulfilling both 2012 and 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria for SLE. Juvenile-onset was defined as age at diagnosis <18 years. Demographics and clinical characteristics were collected. To evaluate the activity of jSLE, the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) was used. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS®. Spearman’s rank non-parametric test or Pearson’s parametric test were used to assess the bivariate correlation for inflammatory and metabolic variables. P value <0.05 was considered significant for all the statistical tests.Results:35 patients were included, with current median (min-max) age of 22 (16-35) years, mean (SD) age of diagnosis of 15.8 (2.4) years; 91.4%female. Median ESR was 19 (2-75) mm/h, CRP 1.65 (0.1-9.6) mg/L, albumin 41.6 (16.7-46.3) g/L, proteinuria 0.2 (0-3) g/dL, leukocyturia 0 (0-1362.7)/uL, erythrocyturia 0 (0-501.9)/uL and anti-double stranded DNA 89.3 (10-800) U/mL. Mean C3 was 102.1 (21.6), C4 17.1 (7.4) mg/dL and creatinine 0.63 (0.1) mg/dL. Median SLEDAI was 2 (0-12). All were ANA positive, 40 % positive for antinucleossome antibodies, 25.7% anti-ribossomal P protein antibody, 11.4% anti-Sm, 8.6% autoantibodies againstβ2-glycoproteinI, 8.6% anti-cardiolipin, 14.3% lupus anticoagulant, 37.1% anti-SSA and 8.6% anti-SSB. Articular manifestations were present in 48.6%, mucocutaneous in 77.1%, haematological in 45.7%, lupus nephritis in 42.9%, serositis in 8.6% and pulmonary interstitial disease in 2.9%. Mean (SD) total cholesterol values (TC) was 165.5 (44.7) mg/dL and LDL 94.5 (29.9) mg/dL. Median high-density lipoprotein was 52 (28-92) and triglycerides (TG) 81.5 (41-253) mg/dL. Median daily prednisolone dose was 5 (0-40) mg. 88.6% were treated with hydroxychloroquine, 31.4% with mychophenolate mophetil and 14.3% with azathioprine. TC was negatively correlated with serum albumin (p=0.043, rho=-378) and positively with SLEDAI (p=0.032; rho= 0.392), proteinuria (p=0.009; rho= 0.469) and leukocyturia (p=0.031; rho= 0.394). A positive correlation was found between LDL and proteinuria (p=0.043; rho= 0.385) and between TG and CRP (p=0.001; rho= 0.575). TG were also positively correlated with prednisolone daily dose (p=0.035; rho= 0.394). Mean LDL was higher in anti-Sm positive patients (p=0.022). No differences were found regarding anti-phospholipids antibodies. Nephritic lupus patients had worse lipid metabolism, but this did not reach statistical significance.Conclusion:In out cohort, increased expression of TC, LDL and TGs is associated with disease activity in SLE. As expected, higher doses of prednisolone also correlated with lipid metabolism.References:[1]Machado D et al. Lipid profile among girls with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int. 2017 Jan;37(1):43-48Disclosure of Interests:None declared
Should antibodies to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and its components be measured in all systemic lupus erythematosus patients to predict risk of atherosclerosis?
