RESEARCH - Drugs to treat SLE: relationship between current use and cardiovascular risk factors

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Young Hee Rho MD, Annette Oeser BS, Cecilia P. Chung MD, MPH, D.

Morrow MD, C. Stein MD (2008)

Drugs to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship between

Current Use and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Young Hee Rho, MD,**Department of Medicine, Young Hee Rho, MD,

Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, T-3207 MCN,

Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Tel: (615) 322-4665; Fax: (615) 936-2746;

E-mail: david.y.rho@... Annette Oeser, BS,**Department of

Medicine, Cecilia P. Chung, MD, MPH,**Department of Medicine, D.

Morrow, MD,*†*Department of Medicine, †Department of Pharmacology,

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA and C.

Stein, MD*†*Department of Medicine, †Department of

Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN,

USA*Department of Medicine, †Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt

University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

ABSTRACT

Objectives. Cardiovascular risk is increased in patients with systemic

lupus erythematosus (SLE). Drugs used to treat SLE can modify

traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We examined the effect of

selected drugs used in the treatment of SLE on cardiovascular risk

factors.

Methods. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum

lipid concentrations, glucose, homocysteine, and urinary

F2-isoprostane concentrations in 99 patients with lupus who were

either current users or non-users of systemic corticosteroids,

antimalarials, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), COX-2

selective NSAIDs, azathioprine, and methotrexate. Multivariable

adjustment was done with linear regression modeling using sex, age and

disease activity (SLEDAI) as controlling variables.

Results. Serum triglyceride concentrations were higher (135.1 ± 61.4

vs. 95.3 ± 47.5 mg/dL, adjusted P = 0.003) in patients receiving

corticosteroids. Homocysteine concentrations were marginally higher in

patients receiving methotrexate (adjusted P = 0.08). Current use of

either NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors was not associated with increased

cardiovascular risk factors. Current hydroxychloroquine use was not

associated with significant alterations in lipid profiles.

Conclusions. In a non-random sample of patients with SLE, current

corticosteroid use was associated with increased triglyceride

concentrations, but other drugs had little effect on traditional

cardiovascular risk factors.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1753-5174.2007.00004.x

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Not an MD