Metabolic syndrome is not only a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus but is also associated with cumulative organ damage: a cross-sectional analysis of 311 patients

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that are one of the major causes of mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD in SLE patients and investigate the link between these and clinical features of SLE.A total of 311 SLE patients were consecutively assessed for cumulative organ damage (SDI/SLICC scores), history of CVD and...