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Inflammatory, Serological and Vascular Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Valentina Mercurio1, Antonio Lobasso2, Letizia Barbieri3
1Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy. valemercurio@yahoo.com.
Insights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients exhibit increased arterial stiffness, linked to inflammation and disease markers. Early detection using applanation tonometry can help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) significantly elevates cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Mechanisms include accelerated atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability.
- Arterial stiffness is a key indicator of subclinical vascular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between SLE markers and arterial stiffness.
- To determine if inflammatory, serological, and clinical factors correlate with arterial stiffness in SLE patients.
Main Methods:
- 43 SLE patients and 43 controls underwent arterial stiffness assessment via applanation tonometry (AIx@75, aortic pulse pressure).
- Blood samples measured inflammatory mediators and antibodies.
- Proteinuria and clinical data were collected.
Main Results:
- SLE patients demonstrated significantly higher arterial stiffness (AIx@75, aortic pulse pressure) compared to controls.
- Arterial stiffness correlated positively with age, systolic pulse pressure, inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), glucocorticoid dose, and cumulative organ damage.
Conclusions:
- SLE is associated with increased arterial stiffness, driven by inflammation and disease activity.
- Applanation tonometry is a valuable tool for screening SLE patients for vascular damage.
- Early identification facilitates CVD prevention strategies in SLE.
Background And Aim:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among many mechanisms, accelerated atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability play a main role. Here, we investigate whether inflammatory, serological and clinical markers of SLE determine and correlate with arterial stiffness in SLE patients.
Materials And Methods:
Routine blood samples, inflammatory mediators, specific antibodies, and 24 h proteinuria were measured in 43 SLE patients and 43 age and sex-matched controls using routine laboratory assays. We also assessed arterial stiffness by measuring radial artery applanation tonometry-derived augmentation index (AI), normalized AI (AIx@75), aortic pulse pressure, central systolic, diastolic and peripheral blood pressure.
Results:
SLE patients showed a significantly greater arterial stiffness vs. controls, as demonstrated by the significantly higher AIx@75 and aortic pulse pressure. Interestingly, regression analysis showed that age, systolic pulse pressure, inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein), daily dose of glucocorticoids, and cumulative organ damage positively correlated with arterial stiffness.
Conclusions:
SLE patients show increased arterial stiffness which correlates with markers of inflammation, that is involved in early alterations in arterial walls. Applanation tonometry can be used to screen SLE patients for subclinical vascular damage to implement prevention strategies for CVD.
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