Evaluation of Arteriosclerosis Using the Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity in Patients with Visceral Lesion-Free Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Characterized by Skin Lesions

Abstract

Recently, the cardio-/cerebrovascular lesion-related mortality rate has been high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In these patients, the risk of cardio-/cerebrovascular lesions is also higher than in the general population. Cardio-/cerebrovascular lesions may occur during long-term follow-up. In this study, we evaluated arteriosclerosis using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in visceral lesion-free SLE patients with skin lesions. In these patients, baPWV was higher than in healthy adults even at a young age. This suggests that baPWV is a possible tool to evaluate the patient’s vascular function, which was difficult to evaluate using a conventional sera arteriosclerosis index. Even when conditions are characterized by skin lesions, it may be important to consider the influence on the cardio-/cerebrovascular systems, as indicated for patients with systemic symptoms.