Published in:
01-02-2020 | Systemic Lupus Erythematosus | Original Article
Cardiovascular risk stratification and appropriate use of statins in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus according to different strategies
Published in: Clinical Rheumatology | Issue 2/2020
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Introduction/objectives
Cardiovascular risk management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is medically relevant. The objectives were to estimate the cardiovascular risk by different strategies in patients with SLE, analyzing which proportion of patients would be candidates to receive statin therapy, and identify how many patients with statin indication received such drugs.
Method
A cross-sectional study was performed from a secondary database. Following the recommendations of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and the Argentine Consensus, the QRISK-3 and the adjusted Framingham (multiplying factor × 2) scores were calculated in primary prevention subjects. The indications for statin therapy according to these recommendations were analyzed.
Results
In total, 110 patients were included. Regarding patients without previous cardiovascular history, the median adjusted Framingham score was 12.8% (4.1–21.9), and 45.2%, 22.6%, and 32.2% of them were classified at low, moderate, or high risk. The median QRISK-3 score was 6.0% (2.1–14.1) and 42.1% of subjects were classified “at risk”. Only 60% of subjects in secondary prevention received statins, although no patient received the recommended doses. Analyzing patients in primary prevention who did not receive statins (87%), 43.4% and 45.2% of the patients were eligible for statin therapy according to NICE guidelines and Argentine Consensus, respectively.
Conclusions
Our findings showed that a large proportion of patients with SLE have a considerable cardiovascular risk and many of them would be eligible for statin therapy. However, the statin use observed was low.
Key Points • A large proportion of patients with lupus have a considerable cardiovascular risk, explained in part by dyslipidemia. • Many patients with SLE would be eligible for statin therapy according to risk stratification based on conventional risk factors. • The use of statins in this population is inadequate. |