Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Rafsanjan Medical School, Occupational Environmental Research Centre, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

2 Department of Internal Medicine, school of medicine, AliIbn Abi-Talib hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

3 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Clinical Research Development Unit, Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

Abstract

 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.

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