A new study published in The Journal of the American Heart Association provides insights to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prediction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CVD is a significant concern for individuals with SLE, accounting for approximately 25% of all fatalities due to premature and accelerated atherosclerosis, yet existing clinical tools may underestimate their risk.
In the study, researchers used carotid and femoral artery ultrasound imaging to screen 44 women with SLE for the presence of early atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can restrict blood flow. Researchers compared their findings to the CVD risk scores derived from two popular models, QRISK3 and Framingham Risk Score, and found that between 44.8% to 100% of the study participants with SLE and early atherosclerosis were still considered “low risk” by the risk scoring models.
Researchers analyzed more than 250 serum metabolites, found in the blood of participants, using advanced computer techniques to identify biomarkers associated with subclinical plaque. They identified 35 metabolites and five clinical traits that were more predictive of early atherosclerosis than standard tools. Key predictors included lower levels of glycine, altered omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid ratios, elevated levels of certain cholesterol types (M-LDL-C and IDL-C), and older age. These findings were consistent in both adult and juvenile-onset SLE. Early identification of risk can potentially lead to improved clinical monitoring and management.
The study underscores the potential of integrating metabolomic profiling with clinical traits to improve early CVD risk detection and guide preventative strategies such as lipid-lowering therapies or lifestyle modifications. Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger groups and to develop SLE-specific risk prediction models. Learn more about SLE treatment here.
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