Subclinical atherosclerosis in young Thai adults with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Article Category: Brief communication (Original)
Published Online: Jan 31, 2017
Page range: 139 - 146
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.1002.475
Keywords
© 2016 Nalinee Pattrakornkul, Patamakom Pruangprasert, Prakul Chanthong, Ratana Chawanasuntorapoj, Anirut Pattaragarn
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased risk of CVD and atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in children with SLE. However, evidence of atherosclerosis in adults with juvenile-onset SLE is limited and their additional CVD risk factors unclear.
Objectives
To investigate the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in young Thai adults with juvenile-onset SLE, and evaluate atherosclerotic risk factors.
Methods
We recruited a cohort of patients aged 18-40 years who had been diagnosed SLE before the age of 18 years for this observational study. Patients with chronic kidney disease stage IV or V, alcoholism, chronic liver disease, or life threatening illness were excluded. Common carotid intima-media thickness (CCIMT) was measured. Clinical and laboratory parameters, treatment, and SLE-related factors, which could be risk factors for atherosclerosis and classic risk factors were obtained.
Results
We enrolled 29 patients (24 female). Their mean age was 25.1 years and mean disease duration 11.3 years. The age of participants, persistent proteinuria and use of cyclosporin correlated with increased CCIMT by multivariable analysis (P = 0.02, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively). These patients had significantly abnormal CCIMT when compared with a healthy population (mean 690 (SD 150) μm versus mean 447 (SD 76) μm, respectively; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Subclinical atherosclerosis, identified by abnormal CCIMT, appears in young adults with juvenile-onset SLE. The CCIMT abnormality progresses with increasing age, and persistent proteinuria and use of cyclosporin appears to increase the risk for atherosclerosis.