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Hypertension is associated with global and renal damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Data from the Almenara Lupus Cohort

*Corresponding author for this work
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
Peer-review

Open access

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 307-311 (5 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Lupus (Volume 34, Issue 3)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 2025
  • Published - 03/2025

Publication status

Published - 03/2025

ISSN

0961-2033

Publication IDs

  • Scopus: 85217185914

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between the occurrence of hypertension and damage accrual in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and methods: From January 2012 to January 2020, we evaluated 314 SLE patients, all members of the Almenara Lupus Cohort. We applied the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines to define hypertension, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) to determine organ damage, and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) to assess disease activity. We performed univariable and multivariable analysis using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for potential confounders (demographic factors, disease-related factors and treatment). Results: 314 patients and 1695 visits were included; 93% of the patients were women. Their mean disease duration was of 6.8 years (SD: 6.4), and their age at diagnosis of 35.7 (SD: 13.4) years. Baseline damage was 0.8 (SD: 1.2) at the first visit, increasing by 0.15 points at the subsequent follow-up visit (SD: 0.46). The prevalence of hypertension in these patients was 56.4% at least once during their follow-up. In the multivariable analysis, hypertension remained associated with damage accrual (IRR: 1.645, 95% CI: 1.187–2.280, p = 0.003) after adjusting for confounders. In the analyses performed per domain, hypertension was associated with renal damage in the multivariable model (OR: 4.331, 95% CI 1.547–12.126, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Hypertension was associated with subsequent greater damage in our SLE patients. Thus, providers involved on the care of these patients should monitor their blood pressure at all clinic visits.