Therapy Insight: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus As a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease with a strong female predilection. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is a frequent complication, particularly in females aged 35-44 years, in whom the risk of myocardial infarction is raised 50-fold. The mechanisms underlying this increased risk are not fully understood. Certain traditional risk factors, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, are more common in SLE patients than in the general population. These factors do not, however, completely account for the increased cardiovascular risk; factors such as renal impairment, increased homocysteine levels and early menopause probably have a role. In addition, several factors more specifically related to lupus are proposed to be of importance, including chronic inflammation, antiphospholipid antibodies and therapy, especially corticosteroid use. Thus, we need to be proactive in our approach to risk-factor management in SLE patients. Here, we propose that, like diabetes mellitus, SLE should be considered a coronary heart disease equivalent condition for baseline risk and that assessment of cardiovascular risk should be done routinely. In addition to lifestyle modifications, blood pressure and cholesterol levels should be stringently controlled, and administration of aspirin should be considered in selected patients. The increased use of certain interventions, such as statins, also needs to be more widely investigated in this population.