Is systemic lupus erithematosus a new risk factor for atherosclerosis?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular events (CVE) secondary to atherosclerosis in lupus patients and correlate them to the traditional risk factors, disease duration and drug therapy used. METHODS A retrospective study was carried out based on data obtained from patients charts. Patients included were those who had a lupus diagnosis confirmed at least two years before inclusion in the study and had been followed since 1992. CVE were characterized as MI, angina pectoris and stroke non-related to lupus activity. Risk factors and drugs used for treatment were recorded. RESULTS Seventy-one charts were analyzed. Patients mean age was 34.2+/-12.7 years; 68 were women and three were men; 58 were Caucasian (81.6%). Ten (14.08%) presented CVE. Patients in whom CVE were observed were older (42.7 vs. 32.8 years p=0.0021) and presented longer disease duration (10.8 vs. 7.2 years p=0.011). The traditional risk factors, daily and cumulative doses of steroids, immunosuppressive drugs and antimalarial drugs were not significant when patients with and without CVE were compared. CONCLUSION The prevalence of CVE secondary to atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was 14.08%. The traditional risk factors were not associated with the development of CVE in lupus patients. Patients that presented cardiovascular events were older and presented longer disease duration. It is a premature conclusion to establish SLE as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis development.