[Atherosclerotic lesion of the vessels in systemic lupus erythematosus in males: relations with concentration of C-reactive protein].
OBJECTIVE
To elicit prevalence of clinical and subclinical manifestations of atherosclerosis in men with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), to assess correlation between vascular atherosclerosis, risk factors and concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP).


METHODS
Analysis of conventional and disease-related factors of risk, ultrasonic scanning of the carotid arteries, high-performance enzyme immunoassay for CRP were made in 37 patients (mean age 36.9 +/- 10.7 years, duration of the disease 130.2 +/- 108.2 months).


RESULTS
Clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis were seen in 35% patients. By thickness of the intimamedia complex (IMC), the patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with vascular atherosclerosis (IMC > 0.9 mm), group 2--of 16 patients with IMC < 0.9 mm. Mean age, age of the disease onset, body mass index were greater in group 1. A mean CRP concentration in patients with athrosclerosis was significantly higher than in the group without vascular atherosclerosis (p = 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
SLE men comprise a group of high atherosclerosis risk. An elevated CRP level is associated with thicker IMC.
Il'ina
A E
AE
Kliukvina
N G
NG
Aleksandrova
E N
EN
Popkova
T V
TV
Novikov
A A
AA
Mach
E S
ES
Bulgakova
O V
OV
Nasonova
E L
EL
D000328:Adult; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008571:Men; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D002097:C-Reactive Protein