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The role of preventive cardiology in systemic lupus erythematosus

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Abstract

With improved therapeutic advances in the care of systemic lupus erythematosus patients, cardiovascular disease has emerged as a leading cause of death. Premature atherosclerosis in lupus patients is probably an interaction between traditional cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory factors, and factors related to lupus itself. Despite knowledge of this accelerated cardiac risk, evaluation of traditional risk factors has been sub-par. We propose that lupus patients be evaluated by preventive cardiologists and have access to their expertise and resources. In addition to nephrologists and dermatologists, preventive cardiologists should be an integral part of the care of patients with lupus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, S727 Biomedical Sciences Tower, 3500 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Jennifer Rae Elliott MD

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  1. Jennifer Rae Elliott MD
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  2. Susan Manzi MD, MPH
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  3. Daniel Edmundowicz MD
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Correspondence to Jennifer Rae Elliott MD.

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Elliott, J.R., Manzi, S. & Edmundowicz, D. The role of preventive cardiology in systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep 9, 125–130 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-007-0006-1

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