COMPARISON OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) RISK BETWEEN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHROMATOSIS (SLE) PATIENTS AND NORMAL CONTROL GROUP

Abstract

Objective: To compare cardiovascular disease risk between Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis (SLE) patients and normal healthy controls.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Rheumatology Ward & OPD, PIMS Hospital Islamabad, from Dec 2018 to Feb 2019.

Methodology: Patients of age between 18-50 years, both genders having a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis, were enrolled as cases group and matched healthy controls were picked from the medical out door. All the enrolled patients were selected by non-probability consecutive sampling. The calculation of Framingham risk score for all cases and controls was done using online calculator. It was based upon patients age, blood pressure, lipid parameters (total cholesterol, HDL), history of hypertension, diabetes and smoking. Among SLE cases, this score was further multiplied by a factor 1.5 as per European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations to find the correct cardiovascular risk.

Results: The mean body mass index was noted (22.87 ± 2.55 vs. 23.86 ± 4.02 kg/m2) in control and cases group. There was statistically significant (p-value<0.05) difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of cases and control group. Mean cholesterol level (179.63 ± 32.69 vs. 167.50 ± 32.17mg/dL) and mean triglyceride levels (156.69 ± 53.90 vs. 106.82 ± 58.35mg/dl) were significantly (p-value<0.05) higher in cases group as compared to control group. There was statistically significant (p-value <0.05) difference in mean value of Framingham risk Score of Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis patients (6.77 ± 6.37 vs. 1.82 ± 2.84) and normal healthy controls.

Conclusion: Quite a large proportion of Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis patients in cases group had high risk of cardiovascular disease as compared to normal healthy controls on the basis of Framingham risk score.