Flow Mediated Dilation in Association With Hyperuricemia as Predictors of Cardiovascular Affection in Patients With Systemic Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that is characterized by multiple end-organ damage and predominantly affects premenopausal women.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. These patients have a higher incidence and an earlier age of onset of ischemic heart disease, carotid atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular stroke, and peripheral vascular Disease. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and physical inactivity, only account partially for the elevated vascular risk in SLE patients .

Vascular stiffness proven to have better predictive value for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events than traditional risk factors in hypertensives and patients with end-stage renal disease or coronary artery disease . Endothelial dysfunction represents the initial step of atherosclerosis and correlates with arterial stiffness which is associated with incident cardiovascular events.

Brachial artery reactivity testing (BART) is used to noninvasively assess responsiveness to reactive hyperemia (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) and evaluate nitric oxide [NO]-dependent large vessel endothelial function. Reduced FMD reflects impaired endothelial-dependent vasodilation indicative of vascular dysfunction.

Uric acid (UA), the final product of purine degradation, is formed in the liver from precursor proteins and is excreted by the kidneys and intestines. At physiologic concentrations, UA exhibits excellent antioxidant activity; however, when UA exceeds its physiologic levels, it can propagate oxidative damage. Furthermore, chronic elevation of UA constitutes a risk factor for many diseases, as it can promote inflammation and endothelial dysfunction .