Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Subclinical Assessment and Future Study

Barry J Sheane, Murray B Urowitz and Dafna D Gladman

Over the last 40 years, it has become established that patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) have a greater risk of atherosclerosis and related events compared with the general population of similar age and sex. While the precise mechanisms that cause accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE remain undetermined, much evidence from inceptional and prospective longitudinal studies suggests a role for traditional cardiovascular disease and lupusspecific risk factors, systemic inflammation and lupus-directed therapies. This review will summarize much of the important knowledge available in the medical literature on this topic.