Implications of immunosuppressive agents in cardiovascular risks and carotid intima media thickness among lupus nephritis patients

Introduction: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, particularly with lupus nephritis (LN), are at risk of premature cardiovascular (CV) disease.Objective: To determine the association between immunosuppressive medications, traditional CV risk factors and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) among patients with LN.Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study in which consecutive LN patients attending the Nephrology/SLE Clinic were evaluated for traditional CV risk factors. Detailed information on their treatment was obtained from their medical records. CIMT, an excellent marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was measured by B Mode carotid ultrasound.Results: A total of 82 patients with LN with a mean age of 33.9 ± 9.8 years were recruited. More than half had hypertension (n = 55, 67.1%) and dyslipidemia (n = 43, 52.4%) as traditional CV risks. Longer history and higher cumulative dose of corticosteroids were associated with hypertension, but use of intravenous methylprednisolone was associated wi...