Objective: To determine the rate of atherosclerosis progression as well as the relationship of traditional risk factors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-related factors, and treatment to atherosis progression in SLE patients.

Methods: Outpatients in the Hospital for Special Surgery SLE Registry underwent serial carotid ultrasound and clinical assessment in a longitudinal study.

Results: Among 158 patients, 77 (49%) had persistent absence of atherosclerosis (carotid plaque), 36 (23%) had unchanged atherosclerosis, and 45 (28%) had progressive atherosclerosis, defined as a higher plaque score (new plaque in 25 patients and more extensive plaque in 20 patients) after a mean +/- SD interval of 34 +/- 9 months. Multivariate determinants of atherosclerosis progression were age at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.67-4.54 per 10 years, P < 0.001), duration of SLE (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.64-6.07 per 10 years, P < 0.001), and baseline homocysteine concentration (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.44 per mumoles/liter, P = 0.006). SLE patients with stable plaque and progressive plaque differed only in baseline homocysteine concentration. Atherosclerosis progression was increased across tertiles of homocysteine concentration (16.2%, 36.4%, and 56.1%; P = 0.001), and homocysteine tertile was independently related to progression of atherosclerosis (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.65-5.95 per tertile, P < 0.001). Less aggressive immunosuppressive therapy and lower average prednisone dose were associated with progression of atherosclerosis in univariate, but not multivariate, analyses. Inflammatory markers and lipids were not related to atherosclerosis progression.

Conclusion: Atherosclerosis develops or progresses in a substantial minority of SLE patients during short-term followup (10% per year on average). Older age at diagnosis, longer duration of SLE, and higher homocysteine concentration are independently related to progression of atherosclerosis. These findings show that aggressive control of SLE and lowering of homocysteine concentrations are potential means to retard the development and progression of atherosclerosis in SLE.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/art.22924DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

progression atherosclerosis
20
homocysteine concentration
16
atherosclerosis
13
atherosclerosis progression
12
progression
9
systemic lupus
8
lupus erythematosus
8
sle
8
plaque patients
8
age diagnosis
8

Similar Publications

Background: Growing evidence suggests a potential link between periodontal disease and the development of atherosclerosis, positioning periodontal disease as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate periodontal status in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) by measuring the Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA) score in individuals undergoing coronary angiography.

Material And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 patients scheduled for coronary angiography at K.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. However, the specific association between Treg immune traits and atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases remains unclear, impeding their potential for clinical therapeutic application.

Method: Fifty-eight Treg-related immune traits were obtained from the latest summary level genome-wide association study, which included 3,757 individuals from Sardinia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and its related vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a significant role in atherosclerosis and their targeting is a strategic approach that may affect multiple pathways influencing disease progression. This study aimed to perform a systematic review to reveal current evidence on the role of HIF-1α and VEGF immunophenotypes with other prognostic markers as potential biomarkers of atherosclerosis prognosis and treatment efficacy.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the current literature to explore the role of HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression along with the relation to the prognosis and therapeutic strategies of atherosclerosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Impact of Modifiable Risk Factors on the Endothelial Cell Methylome and Cardiovascular Disease Development.

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)

January 2025

School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, King's College London, SE5 9NU London, UK.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. A common underlying hallmark of CVD is the plaque-associated arterial thickening, termed atherosclerosis. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the aetiology of atherosclerosis remain unknown, it is clear that both its development and progression are associated with significant changes in the pattern of DNA methylation within the vascular cell wall.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Brussels chicory affluent in phenolic acids could inhibit atherosclerosis; however, its effects on exercise performance and post-exercise recovery are unknown. We hypothesized that Brussels chicory could enhance exhaustive aerobic exercise performance and post-exercise recovery by promoting lactate oxidation.

Methods: This is a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled two-way cross-over trial involving 32 untrained college students (men 18) who consumed either Brussels chicory juice (100 g of Brussels chicory containing ~130 mg phenolic acids and 180 mL fresh milk) or placebo (180 mL fresh milk) for 7 days with a 2-week washout period.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!