Systemic lupus erythematosus in middle-aged women was associated with higher aortic pulse wave velocity compared to controls (9.8 m/s vs 8.2 m/s; P<0.01), indicating increased arterial stiffness.
Case-Control (n=54)
Does systemic lupus erythematosus increase arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics in middle-aged women compared to controls?
Middle-aged women with SLE have increased aortic pulse wave velocity, indicating increased central arterial stiffness, which may contribute to their elevated cardiovascular risk.
Absolute Event Rate: 9.8% vs 8.2%
p-value: p=<0.01
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease where inflammatory activity affects several organ systems. An increased risk of cardiovascular disease has been identified in these patients, even after correction for traditional risk factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics in women with SLE in comparison to controls. Arterial tonometry was used to measure aortic (carotid-femoral) and arm (carotid-radial) pulse wave velocity (PWV), reflected pressure waves, and aortic augmentation index (AIx) in 27 women with SLE (52 to 68 years) and 27 controls. Aortic PWV was higher in women with SLE than controls, 9.8 m/s versus 8.2 m/s (P < 0.01), after correction for mean arterial pressure and body mass index, 9.5 m/s versus 8.5 m/s (P < 0.05). Other parameters were similar, arm PWV, 8.4 versus 8.5 m/s, AIx 34 versus 33% and calculated central aortic pulse pressure 48 versus 43 mmHg, in SLE and controls, respectively (NS). Aortic PWV was positively associated to C-reactive protein (CRP) and complement factor 3 (C3). Women with SLE have increased stiffness of their elastic central arteries. This may be one factor contributing to the increased cardiovascular risk seen in this cohort.
Bjarnegård et al. (Sun,) conducted a case-control in Systemic lupus erythematosus (n=54). Systemic lupus erythematosus vs. Controls was evaluated on Aortic (carotid-femoral) pulse wave velocity (PWV) (p=<0.01). Systemic lupus erythematosus in middle-aged women was associated with higher aortic pulse wave velocity compared to controls (9.8 m/s vs 8.2 m/s; P<0.01), indicating increased arterial stiffness.