Association between Abnormal Lipid Levels and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves vital organs of the body. Studies have shown that abnormal lipids may be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate lipid profiles in lupus patients. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 136 SLE patients who were referred to the Rheumatology Clinic of Rafsanjan from October 2015 to September 2018. The data for the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and demographic information of all patients were entered in a researcher-created checklist, and serum lipid profiles were measured in serum samples. The SLEDAI score of patients was 13.8 ± 5.9. Age had a significantly positive correlation with cholesterol ( r = 0.224, p value = 0.009) and LDL ( r = 0.256, p value = 0.003) levels as well as significantly negative correlation with HDL levels ( r = -0.489, p value = 0.023). Lipid profiles of patients with different levels of education showed no significant difference ( p value = 0.174). In recently diagnosed patients, SLEDAI had a significantly positive correlation with cholesterol ( r = 0.489, p value = 0.002) and LDL levels ( r = 0.418, p value = 0.009) as well as a significantly negative correlation with HDL levels ( r = -0.381, p value = 0.037). No significant correlation was observed between TG level and SLEDAI ( p value = 0.114, r = 0.19). There was no significant difference in the SLEDAI score between subjects using lipid-lowering drugs and those without such treatment ( p value = 0841). It seems that abnormal lipid levels are common in patients with SLE, and there is an association between abnormal lipids and SLEDAI.