Therapy Insight: cardiovascular disease in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
In 15-20% of cases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents before the age of 18 years, and such early-onset SLE seems to be particularly severe. SLE is an independent risk factor for premature atherosclerosis and death in young, premenopausal women with SLE, even after controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Children and adolescents with SLE are particularly susceptible to this long-term threat to their cardiovascular health because they have an increased disease severity and a lengthy disease burden. Factors that contribute to premature atherosclerosis include the inflammatory and immune abnormalities that are intrinsic to SLE, primary dyslipidemias, and the secondary effects of treatments such as corticosteroids. However, few rheumatologists provide appropriate preventive or management strategies for the increased atherosclerosis risk in this age-group. Screening should be performed on a regular basis, including evaluation of, and counseling for, traditional risk factors. Studies of treatment in pediatric patients are limited, and treatment strategies are often extrapolated from adult studies. Statins hold promise because they have both lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. There have been few studies of the use of statins in adults or adolescents with SLE; however, trials are currently underway to address the safety and efficacy of statin use in pediatric SLE.
Sandborg
Christy
C
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room A085, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. sandborg@stanford.edu
Ardoin
Stacy P
SP
Schanberg
Laura
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors