LIPID PROFILES IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objective. To determine the prevalence of abnormal lipid profiles in 1 00 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and th e role of potential risk factors. Methods. Fasting lipid profiles were measured using an enzymatic method. Biodata noted for each patient in cluded age, sex, race, presence of diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, familial hyperlipidemia, smoking history, presence of nephritis or ne phrotic syndrome, lupus activity as measured by the lupus activity cri teria count (LACC), duration of SLE, use of antihypertensive agents an d the current and cumulative dose of steroids. Statistical analysis wa s done using PC SAS software. Results. Seventy-three patients had abno rmal lipid profiles. Patients with normal and abnormal profiles were c omparable in age, sex, race, history of diabetes mellitus, familial hy perlipidemia, and smoking. Abnormal values of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and TC/high density lipoprotein (HDL) were associated with renal involvement and high dose corticosteroids (> 30 mg prednisolone/day). HDL levels were significa ntly lower in patients receiving high dose corticosteroids (p < 0.05). In patients with active lupus disease but without renal disease, lipi d abnormalities were not observed. Conclusion. Abnormal lipid profiles are common in this group of patients with SLE. High dose steroids and the nephrotic syndrome are important contributing factors.