Cardiovascular risk and inflammation in a population with autoimmune diseases: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Juvenile Systemic Connective Tissue Diseases (JSCTD) are chronic autoimmune conditions.
• JSCTD are associated with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk.
• Inflammatory processes in autoimmune diseases often correlate with lipid abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze lipid profiles in children with JSCTD.
• To assess cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis potential in JSCTD patients.
• To investigate the impact of therapies like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants on dyslipidemia in JSCTD.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of studies published between 2013 and 2022.
• Selection of studies focusing on lipid profiles in pediatric JSCTD patients.
• Analysis of associations between JSCTD, lipid abnormalities, and cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Results:

• JSCTD patients exhibit elevated triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC-C), and LDL-C, with low HDL-C.
• These lipid profile abnormalities increase the risk of myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) supplementation shows promise in reducing inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP) and fasting glucose in dyslipidemic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Dyslipidemia is a significant concern in JSCTD, contributing to elevated cardiovascular risk.
• ALA supplementation may offer a therapeutic benefit by modulating inflammation and lipid profiles in autoimmune disorders.
• Further research into ALA's role in managing JSCTD-associated dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk is warranted.