الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 292 |  |  |
| | | from | 292 | | |
Abstract
SLE is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by multiple organ involvement. Cardiovascular disease and premature atherosclerosis are now recognized as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE. Atherosclerosis is a slowly progressive chronic inflammatory disease characterized by focal arterial lesions that can occlude the entire blood vessel and lead to sudden death. Since life expectancy in SLE is improving, premature atherosclerosis is emerging as an ever more important clinical issue.
The present study was performed to assess the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in premenopausal women with SLE and to determine whether it is associated with traditional risk factors, to SLE itself, or to its treatment. In addition, the study aims to verify if endothelial function is impaired in pre-menopausal women with SLE, and to assess the association between TNF-a a.t1d markers of atherosclerosis in SLE patients.
We studied 60 premenopausal women with SLE compared to 28 age and sex matched healthy controls. The diagnosis of SLE was based on the updated revised ACR criteria for diagnosis of SLE. Only premenopausal women were included in the study, in order to avoid the strong confounding effect of pre- versus post-menopausal oestrogen levels on the risk of vascular disease. Strict matching was performed to include a similar age distribution, as age is a strong predictor of atherosclerosis.
Demographic and risk factor data were collected from both patients and controls. All patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, routine laboratory investigations. In addition, the serum levels of TNF-a alpha and US-CRP were assessed-using ELISA. In ratients, disease activity and treatment-related parameters were also assessed. SLE disease activity was measured by SLAM.
In both patients and controls, and by using high-resolution ultrasound, right and left otid arteries were evaluated for intima-media thickness and for the presence of plaque. dothelial function was also assessed by flow-mediated dilatation in the brachial.