Cardiovascular risk assessment and treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 481 - 494
• Main Authors: Elliott, Jennifer R., MD, Manzi, Susan, MD, MPH
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2009
• Subjects: atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - diagnosis; Atherosclerosis - etiology; Atherosclerosis - prevention & control; cardiovascular disease; Diabetes Mellitus - diagnosis; Female; Humans; Hyperlipidemias - complications; Hyperlipidemias - diagnosis; Hypertension - complications; Hypertension - diagnosis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - complications; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; Male; management; Middle Aged; prevention; Rheumatology; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; systemic lupus erythematosus; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; systemic lupus erythematosus; management; prevention
• ISSN: 1521-6942; 1532-1770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2009.03.005

With improved treatment modalities and survival rates, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus live longer and their co-morbidities have become more apparent. Of great concern is cardiovascular disease, which has become a leading cause of death. Lupus patients prematurely develop atherosclerosis, which likely arises from an interaction among traditional cardiovascular risk factors, factors specific to lupus itself and inflammatory mediators. Despite these findings, lupus patients are not always adequately evaluated for traditional risk factors, many of which are treatable and reversible. We propose that lupus patients be assessed and managed regarding cardiovascular risk factors in the same manner as patients with known cardiovascular disease. As a result, preventive cardiology should be considered an essential component of the care for patients with lupus.