Intima-media thickness and phospholipase-A2 possible markers for atherosclerosis progression in patients with systemic lupus erithematous

Problemstellung: In systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), disease related factors and chronic activation of the immune system are implicated in vascular damage, inducing premature atherosclerosis. Intima-media thickness (IMT) is a non-invasiv marker of endothelial dysfunction, can be assessed by B-mode ultrasound and represents a safe, inexpensive, precise and reproducible measure. Phospholipase-A2 (PL-A2), an enzime higly expressed in atherosclerotic lesions is incresed in patients with SLE, related to disease activity. Aim: to determine the importance of IMT in monitoring the early arterial wall alteration and it…