The Interaction between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review

Abstract

Patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) face a much greater risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) when compared to the overall population. Despite numerous case reports and literature reviews delving into this connection, there are only a handful of systematic reviews that have specifically concentrated on this link. As a result, the objective of this systematic review is to assess the depth of the relationship between SLE and cardiovascular diseases. An extensive search was conducted primarily using PubMed and following PRISMA criteria. The search targeted English-language studies investigating the link between SLE and cardiovascular diseases. Clear inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to guarantee the quality and relevance of the evaluated research. The research encompassed a broad spectrum of studies from various global regions, with no particular emphasis on any specific gender or age. An evident trend revealed a significant proportion of SLE patients experiencing cardiovascular conditions. According to the findings of our investigation, in general, it was discovered that patients with SLE have a greater chance of developing CVD. It is essential to conduct additional research on the connection between identifiable SLE-specific risk factors that can be modified and the likelihood of developing CVD in order to bolster the creation of preventative and treatment measures.