Investigators, blinded to each other, independently assessed patients’ rheumatological status (PPS and MGT), carotid and femoral arteries by VUS (GK) and cardiovascular health (GCD), including SCORE classification and attainment of LDL cholesterol targets according to ESC recommendations.12 14 (link)
The following data were collected during participants’ first visit at our department: age, gender, weight, height, total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and disease features including disease duration, use of medications (statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelets, hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) [lupus anticoagulant (LA); IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL); and IgG and IgM antibeta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies (β2GPI)] measured according to the Sydney classification criteria for APS.21 (link) Calculated measures included body mass index, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score and lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS). LLDAS was defined as SLEDAI-2K score of ≤4 with no activity in major organ systems and no haemolytic anaemia or gastrointestinal activity, no new lupus disease activity compared with the previous assessment, a Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment physician global assessment (scale 0–3) score of ≤1, a current prednisolone (or equivalent) dose of ≤7.5 mg.day, and a standard maintenance dose of immunosuppressive drugs and approved biological agents.22 (link) BP was measured according to the ESC guidelines.23 (link)
VUS examination was performed by the same experienced operator at eight different anatomical sites of the walls of the carotid and common femoral arteries according to a well-established imaging protocol followed by our Cardiovascular Risk Research Laboratory15 17 (link) based on the Mannheim consensus.24 (link) Ultrasonography was performed with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound device (Vivid 7 Pro; GE Healthcare, California, USA).
The following data were collected during participants’ first visit at our department: age, gender, weight, height, total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and disease features including disease duration, use of medications (statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelets, hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) [lupus anticoagulant (LA); IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL); and IgG and IgM antibeta 2 glycoprotein I antibodies (β2GPI)] measured according to the Sydney classification criteria for APS.21 (link) Calculated measures included body mass index, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) score and lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS). LLDAS was defined as SLEDAI-2K score of ≤4 with no activity in major organ systems and no haemolytic anaemia or gastrointestinal activity, no new lupus disease activity compared with the previous assessment, a Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment physician global assessment (scale 0–3) score of ≤1, a current prednisolone (or equivalent) dose of ≤7.5 mg.day, and a standard maintenance dose of immunosuppressive drugs and approved biological agents.22 (link) BP was measured according to the ESC guidelines.23 (link)
VUS examination was performed by the same experienced operator at eight different anatomical sites of the walls of the carotid and common femoral arteries according to a well-established imaging protocol followed by our Cardiovascular Risk Research Laboratory15 17 (link) based on the Mannheim consensus.24 (link) Ultrasonography was performed with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound device (Vivid 7 Pro; GE Healthcare, California, USA).
