RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Inflammatory mechanisms affecting the lipid profile in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1849
OP 1854
VO 34
IS 9
A1 Cecilia P Chung
A1 Annette Oeser
A1 Joseph Solus
A1 Ingrid Avalos
A1 Tebeb Gebretsadik
A1 Ayumi Shintani
A1 Macrae F Linton
A1 Sergio Fazio
A1 C Michael Stein
YR 2007
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/9/1849.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: Increased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations are associated with adverse cardiovascular risk in the general population. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an altered lipid profile characterized by increased triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol concentrations. We examined the relationships between lipid concentrations, cytokines, and inflammatory markers in patients with SLE. METHODS: Fasting lipid concentrations, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in 110 patients with SLE. Disease activity was quantified by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and disease damage by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) score. Concentrations of circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and insulin were measured and insulin sensitivity calculated. RESULTS: Lower concentrations of HDL cholesterol were independently associated with higher ESR (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.02), SLEDAI (p = 0.04), and TNF-alpha (p = 0.04) after adjustment for age, sex, race, body mass index, insulin sensitivity, and current use of corticosteroids or hydroxychloroquine. Triglyceride concentrations were associated with higher CRP concentrations (p = 0.02) and SLICC score (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Deleterious changes in lipid profile are independently associated with higher concentrations of markers and mediators of inflammation and disease activity and damage in patients with SLE.