Abstract
Introduction: In spite of the high prevalence of dyslipidemia in systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE) and its role in patients’ cardiovascular and kidney diseases, few studies had been
conducted in this regard.
Objectives: We aimed to study the relation between dyslipidemia and disease activity in SLE
patients in Iran.
Patients and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on SLE patients.
The activity of disease was determined by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). The serum
level of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high-density
lipoprotein (HDL-C) were measured. The correlation between dyslipidemia and SLE disease
activity was assessed.
Results: Around 62 out of 71 patients (87%) were female (mean age was 34 years). The
mean disease duration was 1 year. Around 49% of patients had active disease (SLEDAI ≥6).
Proteinuria and nephritis were observed in 18% and 24%, respectively. About 62% of patients
had at least one abnormality in their lipid profile. High cholesterol (>200 mg/dL), high TG
(>150 md/dL), high LDL-C (>130 mg/dL) and low HDL-C (<50 mg/dL in females and <40
md/dL in males) levels were observed in 25%, 42%, 20% and 49% of patients, respectively.
Patients with active disease had lower age and shorter disease duration in comparison to the
others (P<0.05). There were no differences in gender and weight between patients in active
and inactive phases (P>0.05). Patients with active disease had higher serum cholesterol, TG
and LDL-C levels and lower levels of serum HDL-C.
Conclusion: It seems that there is a relationship between disease activity and lipid profile
abnormalities in SLE patients.