Kosin Med J.  2014 Dec;29(2):107-116. 10.7180/kmj.2014.29.2.107.

Increased carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stiffness according to the disease duration and activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

• Byun GS
• Lee JH
• Cho KI
• Lee HJ
• Yeo HJ
• Kim MJ
• Im HJ

• KMID: 2308495
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2014.29.2.107

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The link among carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), vascular elastic property and the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is not well defined. We investigated the association between carotid atherosclerosis, elastic properties of the carotid arterial wall and clinical parameters of SLE.
METHODS
Fifty-one SLE patients and fifty healthy controls were included. Peak systolic global circumferential and posterior radial strains of carotid artery were measured to assess the elastic properties. Beta stiffness index was used as conventional method for the distensibility of the carotid artery. Information concerning SLE duration, cumulative dose of steroids and/or immunosuppressive drug intake was recorded, and SLE activity was assessed by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score.
RESULTS
Carotid plaques were more common in SLE patients. SLE patients with plaques were older and showed the increased mean IMT, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP), IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL), and longer disease duration compared with those without plaques. Peak systolic global circumferential and posterior radial strain as well beta stiffness index were significantly lower in SLE group. Age, disease duration, hsCRP, IgG aCL showed significant correlations with mean IMT and parameters of carotid elastic property (all P's<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Carotid atherosclerosis was more common in SLE patients, and carotid arterial stiffness had significant correlation with disease duration, hsCRP and IgG aCL level. Speckle tracking strain imaging is a comparative method for the assessment of elastic properties of carotid artery of SLE patients.

Keyword

Carotid atherosclerosis; Strain; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

C-Reactive Protein
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Artery Diseases*
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Humans
Immunoglobulin G
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Steroids
Ultrasonography
Vascular Stiffness
C-Reactive Protein
Immunoglobulin G
Steroids

Figure

• 

  Figure 1. An automated tracking algorithm outlined the intima- media complex of common carotid artery (a). Systolic and diastolic diameters of common carotid artery were obtained from short axis view (b). Regions of interest with computation area of 1x1 mm were placed in the intimamedia complex from the short axis view of the common carotid artery (c and d). Peak systolic global circumferential strain (c) and posterior radial strain (d) and during systole were used for the analysis.

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