Frequency of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting at a Public Sector Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract
Background and Objective: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by central obesity, deranged lipid profile,
high blood pressure and abnormally high levels of blood sugar. It is an independent risk factor for
cardiovascular disease. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect
joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. The extent to which metabolic syndrome is frequent in
our population is less known. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of metabolic syndrome
amongst SLE patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken in a public sector tertiary care hospital of Lahore from
February 2021 through August 2021, including 110 confirmed SLE cases. After institutional approval and
taking an informed consent, blood pressure, fasting and random blood sugar levels and fasting lipid profile
were measured. Central obesity was assessed using waist circumference. Data were transferred to SPSS 21
for descriptive and inferential analyses. Frequencies were determined using numbers and percentages.
Results: Of 110 SLE patients, 14 (12.3%) were males and 96 (87.7%) were females. Mean age of SLE
patients was 42.9± 9.9 years. Mean BMI was 28.7±4.7 kg/m2. The frequency of metabolic syndrome in
studied SLE patients was 37/110 (33.6%).
Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had abnormally high serum triglyceride and cholesterol
levels, diabetes mellitus, central obesity, high levels of fasting plasma glucose and hypertension. Therefore,
one-third of SLE patients may have metabolic syndrome in our population.
Key Words: Dyslipidemia, Frequency, Metabolic Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.