Endocan Levels and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

İÇLİ A., Cure E., Cure M. C., Uslu A. U., Balta S., Mikhailidis D. P., ...More

ANGIOLOGY, vol.67, no.8, pp.749-755, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 67 Issue: 8
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0003319715616240
  • Journal Name: ANGIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.749-755
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. A major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE is accelerated atherosclerosis. Endothelial-specific molecule 1 (endocan) is a potential predictor of vascular events and is expressed in response to inflammatory cytokines in endothelial cells. We investigated the relationship between endocan and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of early atherosclerosis. We included 44 women with SLE and 44 healthy women as controls. Disease severity of SLE was evaluated using the SLE Disease Activity Index. Endocan, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and lipid panel were measured. The cIMT was 0.70 (range: 0.45-1.20) mm in patients with SLE and 0.40 (0.25-0.60) mm in controls (P < .001). Endocan value was 1.6 +/- 0.9 ng/mL in controls and 2.2 +/- 1.0 ng/mL in patients with SLE (P = .014). Endocan levels were positively correlated with cIMT (r = .469, P < .001), body mass index (r = .373, P = .013), and ESR (r = .393, P = .008). Endocan level may be associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE. Consequently, endocan levels may be a promising clinical tool for patients with SLE as a guide for preventive strategy.