title: Novel cardiovascular risk factors in premature coronary atherosclerosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several mediators of inflammation are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the general population, but their relationship to accelerated atherosclerosis associated with an inflammatory disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared concentrations of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and VEGF), inflammatory enzymes (MPO and MMP-9), acute-phase reactants (ESR, CRP, and SAA) and adhesion molecules (VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin) in 109 patients with SLE and 78 controls. The relationship between inflammatory markers and coronary atherosclerosis detected as calcified plaque by electron beam CT was determined in patients with SLE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentrations of all markers of inflammation other than VCAM, MMP-9, and IL-1alpha were significantly higher in SLE. In multivariable analyses adjusting for Framingham risk score, cumulative corticosteroid dose, and diabetes, E-selectin (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.08-3.33), VCAM (OR 1.99, 1.18-3.37), ICAM (OR 2.30, 1.13-4.7), and TNF-alpha (OR 2.36, 1.10-5.06) were significantly associated with the severity of coronary calcium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concentrations of adhesion molecules and TNF-alpha are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in SLE independent of the Framingham risk score.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-6602, USA.
authors.forename: Young Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: Cecilia P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oeser
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solus
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raggi
authors.forename: Tebeb
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gebretsadik
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shintani
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha