FRIDAY, March 12 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), those with persistently high disease activity have higher levels of anti-apolipoprotein A-I (anti-Apo A-I) and anti-high-density lipoprotein (anti-HDL) than those with low disease activity, according to research published in the March issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Sean G. O'Neill, of University College London, and colleagues analyzed data from several groups including SLE patients with persistently high or low disease activity over the previous two years, healthy controls, and SLE patients with a history of cardiovascular disease events.
The researchers found that patients with persistently high disease activity, compared to those with low activity, had higher levels of anti-Apo A-I and anti-HDL levels. Patients with a history of cardiovascular events had mean levels of these autoantibodies, as well as anti-C-reactive protein, between the mean levels of the groups with high and low disease activity.
"Measuring antibodies to Apo A-I, HDL, or C-reactive protein in SLE patients has not yet reached the level where it can be recommended as a routine strategy to stratify patients for risk of accelerated atherosclerosis. Over the next few years, risk prediction models will be emerging that account for many predisposing variables, and these antibodies may be considered in such models," concludes the author of an accompanying editorial.
Two co-authors of the study and the author of an accompanying editorial reported financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies.
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