Inflammatory Biomarkers and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in African-American Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Authors

Edith Williams, University of South CarolinaFollow
Carlos Crespo, Portland State University
Joan Dorn, State University of New York at Buffalo

Keywords

African American women; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular system – Diseases; Carotid atherosclerosis; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Women

Disciplines

Cardiology | Cardiovascular Diseases | Community-Based Research | Demography, Population, and Ecology | Gender and Sexuality | Medicine and Health | Place and Environment | Public Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

Women with lupus are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previous studies of atherosclerosis in SLE have not been representative of the minority groups most affected by lupus and its complications. Therefore, a study of 41 lupus cases and 83 controls was conducted to investigate the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and inflammation in African-American women. Participation consisted of a questionnaire, physical examination, fasting blood draw, and ultrasound of the carotid arteries. There were observed differences between cases and controls with regard to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, although few reached statistical significance. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha was significantly related to carotid IMT, lupus, body mass index, and hypertension, indicating that it may be an important factor to consider in future studies of cardiovascular risk in African American women with lupus. This study adds to scientific literature by demonstrating that there may be other factors in the link between SLE and CVD.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Edith; Crespo, Carlos; and Dorn, Joan (2009) "Inflammatory Biomarkers and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in African-American Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol3/iss1/5