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The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Stroke in systemic lupus erythematosus: a Swedish population-based cohort study
Elizabeth V Arkema1, Elisabet Svenungsson2, Mia Von Euler3,4
1Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|April 13, 2017
Summary
Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face a doubled risk of ischaemic stroke compared to the general population. This increased risk is highest in the first year post-diagnosis, highlighting a critical window for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- Stroke is a significant concern in SLE patients, but population-level comparative data on stroke subtypes and timing are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in patients with SLE versus the general population.
- To analyze stroke risk by age, sex, and time since SLE diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- A Swedish population-based cohort study using national registers.
- 3,390 incident SLE cases were matched with 16,730 general population comparators.
- Prospective follow-up for incident stroke, with survival analysis to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).
Main Results:
- Patients with SLE had a twofold increased rate of ischaemic stroke (HR 2.2) compared to controls.
- The risk of intracerebral haemorrhage was also elevated but not statistically significant (HR 1.4).
- Higher risks were observed in females, individuals under 50, and particularly within the first year after SLE diagnosis (HR 3.7 for ischaemic stroke).
Conclusions:
- The relative risk of ischaemic stroke is significantly elevated in SLE patients.
- The first year following SLE diagnosis represents a critical period with the highest associated risk.
- Early screening for stroke risk factors and timely intervention by rheumatologists are crucial for this patient group.
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