Subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): the relative contribution of classic risk factors and the lupus phenotype

摘要

Objectives. We aimed to examine the strength of association between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaque development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and controls. We also aimed to determine which lupus-related factors are associated with carotid plaque and whether SLE sensitizes patients to the effects of traditional factors.