PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - YOUNG HEE RHO
AU  - CECILIA P. CHUNG
AU  - ANNETTE OESER
AU  - JOSEPH SOLUS
AU  - PAOLO RAGGI
AU  - TEBEB GEBRETSADIK
AU  - AYUMI SHINTANI
AU  - C. MICHAEL STEIN
TI  - Novel Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
DP  - 2008 Sep 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 1789--1794
VI  - 35
IP  - 9
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/9/1789.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/9/1789.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2008 Sep 01; 35
AB  - Objective Several mediators of inflammation are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the general population, but their relationship to accelerated atherosclerosis associated with an inflammatory disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not known. Methods We compared concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, and VEGF), inflammatory enzymes (MPO and MMP-9), acute-phase reactants (ESR, CRP, and SAA) and adhesion molecules (VCAM, ICAM, and E-selectin) in 109 patients with SLE and 78 controls. The relationship between inflammatory markers and coronary atherosclerosis detected as calcified plaque by electron beam CT was determined in patients with SLE. Results Concentrations of all markers of inflammation other than VCAM, MMP-9, and IL-1α were significantly higher in SLE. In multivariable analyses adjusting for Framingham risk score, cumulative corticosteroid dose, and diabetes, E-selectin (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.08–3.33), VCAM (OR 1.99, 1.18–3.37), ICAM (OR 2.30, 1.13–4.7), and TNF-α (OR 2.36, 1.10–5.06) were significantly associated with the severity of coronary calcium. Conclusion Concentrations of adhesion molecules and TNF-α are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in SLE independent of the Framingham risk score.