title: Coronary artery dilation among patients with paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate increased coronary artery dimensions in patients with paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in comparison with healthy controls, and to identify risk factors associated with increased coronary artery dimensions in the SLE patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a longitudinal cohort study of coronary artery disease (CAD) in paediatric-onset SLE, 83 children with SLE and 36 healthy controls were enrolled for a cross-sectional analysis. Their coronary artery diameters were measured by echocardiography while their body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and other cardiovascular factors were recorded. The age at diagnosis, serum uric acid (UA) and creatinine levels, and other lupus-related factors were further evaluated in SLE patients. Data were analysed using linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean body surface area (BSA)-adjusted dimensions of the left coronary artery (LCA) and right coronary artery (RCA) were significantly larger in SLE patients than in controls (both p < 0.001). The age at diagnosis, BMI, and serum UA and creatinine levels were associated with LCA and RCA diameters. There were no correlations between the coronary artery diameters and blood pressure, SLE duration, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP), C3, C4, anti-double-stranded-DNA (anti-dsDNA), or lipid profile. In multivariate analysis, serum UA level, age at diagnosis, and BMI were consistently associated with coronary artery dimensions (p < 0.001, p = 0.008, and p = 0.006 for LCA; p = 0.020, 0.013, and 0.008 for RCA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased coronary artery diameters were found in children with SLE and were associated with higher serum UA levels. The pathogenic mechanisms warrant further investigation.
authors: Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors: C C
authors: CC
authors: Shen
authors: H T
authors: HT
authors: Chung
authors: Y L
authors: YL
authors: Huang
authors: K W
authors: KW
authors: Yeh
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014527:Uric Acid; D003404:Creatinine