Predictors of risk for hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Objectives: To identify and compare traditional risk factors and disease-dependent risk factors in hypertensive and normotensive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: Universe: Patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus with 1 or more years of follow-up from mutidisciplinary consultation of collagen-vascular diseases at the Arnaldo Milian Castro Provincial University Hospital . Sample: all patients (104) who met the inclusion criteria. Period: 2007-2008. Source: database of the Project for a Comprehensive Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Monitoring of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Collagen-Vascular Disease. Demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were identified and compared among patients who developed hypertension and those who did not at any point in their evolution. Results: Hypertension was present in 61.5% of patients. The increase of cholesterol, the duration of the lupus (and/or its diagnosis) over 10 years, kidney damage, obesity and low educational level, all showed significant association with the occurrence of hypertension. Conclusion: Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease which represents a major cause of death in lupus patients. If cholesterol, obesity and renal disease are controlled, it may improve survival in these patients.