EVALUATION OF VASCULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease with multi organ
involvement. Atherosclerosis occurs prematurely in SLE resulting in increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are the early events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus the aim of the study
is to assess the arterial stiffness and endothelial dependent vasodilatation in SLE patients. Methods: Thirty six SLE patients and
ten age matched healthy control subjects were recruited. Demographic data, associated risk factors, disease activity were
collected. Vascular function was assessed noninvasively using PeriScope for arterial stiffness and Autodicrowin for reflection
index. Unpaired student’s‘t’ test was used for statistical evaluation. Results: There was a significant arterial stiffness in both
brachial ankle (p<0.008) and carotid femoral (p<0.01) pulse wave velocities. The change in reflection index was also significantly
less (p<0.0002) from that of healthy controls. Conclusion: SLE patients had endothelial dysfunction and higher pulse wave
velocities. Higher pulse wave velocities were found in longer disease duration patients.