Relationship of plasma interleukin-18 concentrations to traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

摘要

Objectives. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with premature atherosclerosis. Recent studies indicated that the concentrations of circulating interleukin (IL)‐18, a novel proinflammatory T helper‐1 cytokine, in SLE patients were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between IL‐18 and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with SLE.