This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Brodszki, J Articles by Marsál, K Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brodszki, J Articles by Marsál, K Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Abnormal mechanical properties of larger arteries in postmenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Lund, University of Lund, Sweden, jana.brodszki{at}gyn.lu.se

C Bengtsson

Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Lund, University of Lund, Sweden

T Länne

Department of Medicine and Care, Linköping University, Sweden

O Nived

Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Lund, University of Lund, Sweden

G Sturfelt

Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Lund, University of Lund, Sweden

K Marál

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Lund, University of Lund, Sweden

There is limited knowledge of potential defects in arterial wall properties in female systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without manifest cardiovascular disease (CVD) and significant atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanical properties of larger vessels in these patients and to compare them with healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess vessel wall structure and to exclude presence of plaque. The ankle/brachial pressure index was measured to exclude occlusive arterial disease. An ultrasound echo-tracking system was used to determine stiffness of the abdominal aorta, common carotid artery (CCA) and popliteal artery (PA) in 39 female patientswith SLE and 55 female, healthy controls. SLE had an independent effect on stiffening of the CCA (P = 0.01) and PA (P = 0.005). In addition, larger vessel diameters were observed in the CCA (P = 0.002) after adjustments for the effects of mean arterial pressure and age. Thus, this investigation demonstrated an increased arterial stiffness and signs of premature vascular ageing in the SLE patients without manifest cardiovascular disease and without significant atherosclerotic lesions. The results of this study indicate that other mechanisms besides atherosclerosis might be involved in the pathogenesis of arterial stiffening in SLE patients.

Key Words: arteries • atherosclerosis • SLE • ultrasonography • vascular disease

Lupus, Vol. 13, No. 12, 917-923 (2004)
DOI: 10.1191/0961203304lu2033oa


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A Cypiene, M Kovaite, A Venalis, J Dadoniene, R Rugiene, Z Petrulioniene, L Ryliskyte, and A Laucevicius Arterial wall dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, May 1, 2009; 18(6): 522 - 529. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F Cacciapaglia, E. Zardi, G Coppolino, F Buzzulini, D Margiotta, L Arcarese, M Vadacca, A Amoroso, and A Afeltra Stiffness parameters, intima-media thickness and early atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients Lupus, March 1, 2009; 18(3): 249 - 256. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Q Shang, L. Tam, E. Li, G. Yip, and C. Yu Increased arterial stiffness correlated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, December 1, 2008; 17(12): 1096 - 1102. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. E Westerweel, R. K M A C Luijten, I. E Hoefer, H. A Koomans, R. H W M Derksen, and M. C Verhaar Haematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells are deficient in quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus Ann Rheum Dis, July 1, 2007; 66(7): 865 - 870. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N Bjarnegard, C Bengtsson, J Brodszki, G Sturfelt, O Nived, and T Lanne Increased aortic pulse wave velocity in middle aged women with systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, October 1, 2006; 15(10): 644 - 650. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. K. Tso, W.-N. Huang, H.-Y. Huang, and C.-K. Chang Relationship of plasma interleukin-18 concentrations to traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus Rheumatology, September 1, 2006; 45(9): 1148 - 1153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T K Tso, W-N Huang, H-Y Huang, and C-K Chang Association of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with cardiovascular risk factors in systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, November 1, 2005; 14(11): 878 - 883. [Abstract] [PDF]