High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with SLE in the Western Cape

Nkabane, Avela Ntombenkosi

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with SLE in the Western Cape

Master Thesis

2021

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its complications. In the absence of published studies from sub-Saharan Africa, we investigated the prevalence and associations of the MetS amongst recent-onset SLE patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of recent onset (<5 years disease duration) patients with SLE meeting the SLICC SLE classification criteria. The MetS was defined by Joint Interim Statement criteria. Clinical and demographic data and a Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy score and the 36-Item Short-Form Healthy Survey were completed. RESULTS: Of 75 patients, the mean age was 37.1 (11.7) years, disease duration was 30.8 (23.6) months, 65 (86.7%) were female, 68.0% were of mixed ethnic ancestry and 29.3% were Black Africans. The mean SLEDAI score was 0.9 (1.6). The prevalence of MetS was 40.0%, and age and body mass index were the only significant features associated with MetS (p = 0.003 and 0.001 respectively). Increased waist circumference (WC) was the most frequently observed feature, present in 92.9% of MetS patients. Patients with an elevated WC were 32.5 times more likely to have MetS. CONCLUSION: This study shows a high prevalence of MetS amongst South Africans with recently diagnosed SLE. This calls for aggressive strategies to reduce the prevalence of Mets and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Waist circumference is a useful and costeffective screening tool to identify SLE patients at risk of MetS.