People with lupus-related skin problems are more likely to develop heart disease associated with hardening of the arteries.
Lupus patients with skin symptoms are 72 percent more likely to develop atherosclerotic heart disease, in which arteries become clogged and less flexible, researchers reported in a new study published recently in the journal JAMA Dermatology.
Lupus “was associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, potentially warranting appropriate screening tests and clinician referrals,” concluded the research team led by Dr. Henry Chen, a dermatology resident with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, damaging the skin, joints, and organs.
The most common type of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, has previously been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, researchers said in background notes.
But it’s not been clear whether people with cutaneous lupus, which only affects the skin, shared the same heart health risks as systemic lupus, researchers said.
Cutaneous lupus has previously been seen as just a skin disorder, but prior studies have found increased risks of metabolic syndrome and cancer with the disease.
For the study, researchers compared more than 8,100 people with cutaneous lupus against nearly 25,000 people with systemic lupus, more than 192,500 people with psoriasis, and nearly 81,400 healthy, disease-free folks.
Data on all the groups came from an insurance claims database and ran from 2018 to 2020.
Results showed that systemic lupus carries the greatest risk for heart health, more than doubling a person’s risk of heart disease compared to the healthy control group.
But cutaneous lupus also increased the risk of heart disease by 72 percent, researchers found.
“Clinicians caring for persons with (cutaneous lupus) can counsel patients regarding the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and smoking avoidance,” the research team concluded.
“Regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol, and prompt treatment can also be recommended to this population.”
The study’s researchers state that the increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among patients with lupus likely stems from recurring systemic inflammation.
Research has shown that lupus-related inflammation can contribute to arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, and accelerated plaque buildup in blood vessels. Chronic immune activation may also disrupt normal vascular repair processes, increasing the likelihood of premature cardiovascular disease even in younger patients.
The latest study adds to a growing body of evidence that cardiovascular disease should be seen as a major part of lupus management rather than a secondary complication. Clinicians should consider more aggressive cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with chronic inflammatory disease activity, particularly those with severe cutaneous manifestations or lupus nephritis.
These findings can be particularly significant for Black patients with lupus, who continue to face disproportionately higher rates of disease incidence, severity, and mortality. Black women are significantly more likely to develop lupus than white women and often experience earlier onset, greater organ involvement, and more aggressive disease progression.
These disparities can add to the already elevated cardiovascular risk this community experiences. Black Americans face higher rates of hypertension, obesity, stroke, and heart disease. When combined with chronic autoimmune inflammation, these risk factors may accelerate vascular damage and increase the chances of developing premature atherosclerotic disease.
Delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialty care, insurance limitations, and underrecognition of symptoms can further complicate long-term cardiovascular risk management in lupus patients.
Clinicians can use these findings to develop comprehensive cardiovascular risk screening and culturally responsive care in communities disproportionately affected by this autoimmune disease.
This research raises critical questions regarding whether cardiovascular screening should start earlier in lupus patients, particularly those with cutaneous symptoms or recurring inflammatory activity. The study’s researchers found that patients with skin manifestations were more likely to develop atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These findings suggest that more dermatologic involvement may be a significant warning sign.
Traditional cardiovascular risk calculators may not fully capture inflammatory risk among autoimmune disease populations. Because of this, some experts say that providers should adopt a lower threshold for evaluating lupus patients for cardiovascular complications, even at younger ages.
Some potential strategies could include:
The latest findings show that lupus is closely linked to increased cardiovascular risk, particularly atherosclerotic heart disease driven by chronic inflammation and vascular dysfunction. This research underscores the need to integrate cardiovascular prevention into routine lupus management rather than treating heart disease as a separate concern.
More information
The National Institutes of Health has more on lupus.
SOURCE: UT Southwestern Medical Center, news release
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.pro You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
Are you a healthcare professional? Register with us today!