Is there a relationship between atherosclerosis and serum c-reactive protein in SLE patients

الملخص EN

Objective : Systemic lupus erythematous is an autoimmune disease involving all organ including the heart, leading to significant morbidities and mortality due to atherosclerosis.

The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between CRP levels and intima media thickness IMT and also to determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients compared with a control group.

Methods : Forty five female SLE patients and 48 healthy cotrols, being matched in age and body mass index, were recruited for the study.

The thickness of intima-media of the carotid arteries and the levels of CRP were measured using color Doppler ultrasonography and CRP measurement methods, respectively then findings were compared between the two groups.

Results : Ultrasonographic evaluation showed atherosclerosis plaque in 7 persons (15.5 %) in the SLE group and 4 persons (8.3 %) in the control group, these rates did not show any significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.287).

The maximum thickness of intima media of the carotid arteries were 0.55 ± 0.31 mm and 0.61 ± 0.17 mm in the SLE and control groups, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.17).

The mean level of CRP was significantly higher in the SLE patients than the control group (4.14 ± 2.55 mg / L vs 3.87 ± 0.21 mg / L, respectively) (p = 0.005), without any relationship between the presence of atherosclerotic plaque and the level of CRP in the SLE group, when compared with the control group.

Furthermore, no significant relationship between the thicknesses of intima-media and serum CRP levels in both groups was observed.

The mean thickness of intima-media was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.31).

But the mean level of CRP was significantly higher in patients group (p = 0.005).

Conclusions : We could not find any relationship between the serum CRP level and the risk of atherosclerosis progression in patients with SLE.

high levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-phospholipid antibodies.6-9 An 0.2 mm increase in IMT can lead to 33 % and 28 % increased risks of myocardial infarction and cardiac stroke in SLE patients, respectively, therefore, it may be concluded that IMT measurement can be considered as a reliable marker for evaluating the presence of atherosclerosis in SLE patients.10-13 The increase in CRP levels is proven to be a risk factor for cardiovascular events in SLE, and it is also advised to take it into account, while evaluating cardiovascular diseases.14-16 Recent epidemiologic and pathogenesis studies have suggested a great deal in common between the pathogenesis of prototypic autoimmune disease such as SLE and that of atherosclerosis.17 The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between CRP levels and IMT, and also to determine the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE patients compared with a control group.