Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Counseling Program for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients face a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Effective CVD risk factor management is crucial for improving long-term outcomes in lupus patients.
• Targeted prevention programs may mitigate CVD risk in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a structured CVD prevention counseling program in reducing CVD risk factors among lupus patients.
• To assess changes in modifiable CVD risk factors, including blood pressure, lipid profiles, diet, and physical activity.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year CVD prevention counseling program involving assessment and education phases.
• Patients received ongoing risk assessment and education from a nurse practitioner and medical doctor every 3-6 months.
• Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors, lifestyle habits (diet, exercise), and medication adherence.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure (OR 0.94) and cholesterol profiles (OR 0.90) were observed.
• Improvements in systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were statistically significant.
• Dietary habits and physical activity levels showed significant improvement across the study population.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive CVD prevention counseling program can effectively decrease the prevalence of key CVD risk factors in lupus patients.
• These findings underscore the importance of integrated care models for managing CVD risk in autoimmune diseases.