Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract EN

Background : SLE patients appear to have increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is not explained by traditional risk factors.

Leptin, an adiposity-derived protein regulating food intake and metabolism has been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease.

Objective: To measure the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis) and to evaluate its relation to cardiovascular risk factors, lupus-related factors and serum leptin level.

Methods : We used high-resolution B-mode ultrasound, to compare common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media wall thickness (IMT) in 40 SLE patients and 40 matching controls.

We investigated the association between (IMT) of the (CCA) in SLE, clinical and therapeutic variables.

Results : The mean level of IMT of the CCA showed a statistically highly significant increase (p < 0.001) in SLE patients as compared to controls.

Insignificant correlations (p > 0.05) were found between IMT of the CCA in SLE and HDL-c, triglycerides, C3, C4, SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin antibodies and drug treatment.

There were statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) between IMT of the CCA in SLE and systolic BP, diastolic BP, total cholesterol, LDL-c, fibrinogen, and CRP.

Highly statistically significant correlations (p<0.001) were found in relation to age, disease duration, body mass index, HAQ, SLICC damage score, and serum leptin level.

Conclusions : Age, disease duration, body mass index and serum leptin level in that order were the variables predicting atherosclerosis among SLE patients.

Aggressive control of SLE and lowering of leptin concentrations are potential means to retard development and progression of atherosclerosis in SLE.