Document resource
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the lipid profile in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) and assess its correlation with clinical disease activity, highlighting the potential role of lipid levels in cardiovascular risk assessment and disease monitoring.Methods Eighty patients with confirmed SLE were included from a retrospective cohort. Diagnosis was based on at least four of the eleven American College of Rheumatology (ACR, 1997) criteria. Patients were divided into two groups according to disease activity measured by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2k): low activity (<6) and high activity (> or =6). Dyslipidemia was defined as total cholesterol > or =240 mg/dL, triglycerides > or = 180 mg/dL, or combined hyperlipidemia. Correlations between lipid levels and laboratory parameters (C3, C4, anti-dsDNA, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen), as well as age and disease duration, were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results Of the 80 patients, 95% were female, and 70% had high disease activity. Dyslipidemia was observed in 45 patients (56.2%), of whom 86.7% had active SLE. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were present in 31.2% and 41.2% of patients, respectively. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in patients with high disease activity. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive association between SLEDAI-2k and total cholesterol (r=0.51, p<0.05) and a moderate positive association with triglycerides (r=0.35, p<0.05).Conclusions Lipid abnormalities are common in SLE, particularly among females and younger patients, and are significantly associated with clinical disease activity. Although data were collected retrospectively, these findings remain relevant for current clinical practice, emphasising the importance of regular lipid profile assessment to reduce cardiovascular risk and optimise disease management in SLE patients.