title: Systemic lupus erythematosus: the influence of disease-related and classical risk factors on intima media thickness and prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques--a preliminary report. Beneficial effect of immunosuppressive treatment on carotid intima media thickness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The risk of cardiovascular disease is increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A meta-analysis showed increased carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in SLE. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different SLE characteristics and treatment regimens on IMT and atherosclerotic plaques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and three SLE patients and 95 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study. MT was measured in the common carotid arteries bilaterally. Common carotid arteries, internal carotid arteries and superficial femoral arteries were also screened for the presence of plaques. The presence of plaques was correlated with age (P = 0.00002), male sex (P = 0.034), Framingham 10-year risk score (P < 1 x 10(-6)), SLE duration (P = 0.00006), lack of immunologic disorder (P = 0.0014) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index (P = 0.049). IMT was associated with SLE duration (P = 0.002), body mass index (P = 0.026), Framingham 10-year risk score (P < 0.001), total cholesterol concentration (P = 0.002), LDL cholesterol concentration (P = 0.007), SLICC/ACR (P = 0.035), hypertension (P = 0.002), immunologic disorder (P = 0.00008) and discontinuous treatment with immunosuppressive drugs (P = 0.043).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found a correlation between atherosclerosis and several classical cardiovascular risk factors and disease-related factors. A beneficial effect of continuous immunosuppressive treatment on IMT suggests that appropriate disease control with steroid-sparing agents may protect against atherosclerosis in SLE patients.
authors.forename: Bartłomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kisiel
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kruszewski
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Juszkiewicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raczkiewicz
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bachta
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kłos
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duda
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saracyn
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szymański
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Młozniak-Cieśla
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grabowska-Jodkowska
authors.forename: Marzena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olesińska
authors.forename: Romana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bogusławska-Walecka
authors.forename: Stanisław
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niemczyk
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Płoski
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tłustochowicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents