Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Understanding Management Strategies

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of the premature development of atherosclerotic plaques. It is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by the production of autoantibodies against self-antigens. These self-antigens include nucleic acids, blood cells, coagulation proteins, and phospholipids that cause disease manifestations in virtually every organ system. Over the last 3 decades, treatment modalities and preventive therapies for SLE patients have substantially improved, producing decreases in mortality from the disease. However, as life expectancy among SLE patients has increased, the incidence of cardiovascular disease has increased as well. Multiple studies suggest that patients with SLE have between a 9-fold and 50-fold increase in risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with non-SLE patients. It is thought that these increases result from a combination of traditional risk factors, as well as the dysfunctional immune and inflammatory mechanisms in patients with SLE. At this time, there is limited evidence to support specific treatment guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in SLE patients. The treatment of these patients currently remains to identify and treat the traditional and SLE-related risk factors.