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  • Title: Longitudinal study on premature atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
    Author: de Leeuw K, Smit AJ, de Groot E, van Roon AM, Kallenberg CG, Bijl M.
    Journal: Atherosclerosis; 2009 Oct; 206(2):546-50. PubMed ID: 19389674.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors of accelerated atherosclerosis and progression of intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: 74 SLE patients, age ranging from 13 to 69 years, and 74 age- and sex-matched controls were included. IMT of the common carotid artery was determined by B-mode ultrasound imaging. Traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis and disease-related factors were recorded. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE). Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP) and endothelial activation (thrombomodulin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and von Willebrand factor) were determined. Measurements were repeated in 52 patients after a follow-up of 32+/-7 months. RESULTS: IMT was increased in SLE patients compared to controls. Prevalence of smoking and hypertension, use of lipid-lowering drugs and SCORE were higher in patients, as well as levels of CRP and markers of endothelial activation. The age-related increase in IMT was significantly higher in patients than in controls. In multivariate analysis, age and disease duration was independently related to IMT. Increase in IMT during follow-up was related to age only. CONCLUSION: The age-related increase in IMT is higher in SLE, indicating that atherosclerosis is accelerated in SLE patients. This is mainly due to disease-related risk factors, as disease duration was independently associated with IMT.
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