TY - JOUR T1 - Novel Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 1789 LP - 1794 VL - 35 IS - 9 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 Y1 - 2008/09/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/9/1789.abstract N2 - 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. ER -