The association between serum lipid profiles and cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence is a known complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum lipids are general CVD associated factors, but their specific impact on CVD development in SLE patients is uncertain. This study aimed to examine the association between serum lipid levels and CVD prevalence in SLE. A total of 101 SLE patients, with or without CVD were included in this retrospective study. Lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured. Demographic data, comorbidities and medications were documented. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent markers of CVD. Compared to SLE patients without CVD, those with CVD exhibited significantly higher levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C along with lower HDL-C. The values of nontraditional lipid profiles were all significantly higher in CVD patients. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL‐C had statistical significance ( P < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, TG was an independent marker of CVD in SLE patients. In Model 1, after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular associated factors (smoking status and diabetes), TG remained a significant associated factor for CVD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.948, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.660–5.236, P < 0.001). In Model 2, following further adjustment for SLE-specific characteristics (SLEDAI and disease duration), TG emerged as a powerful independent associated factor (OR = 3.058, 95% CI 1.675–5.584, P < 0.001). This study indicated that serum lipid levels, especially triglyceride, may serve as a potential marker for CVD in SLE patients.