Evaluation of the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and syndecan-4 levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. In order to compare the subclinical atherosclerosis process known to occur in SLE patients with disease activity, we tried to examine the relationship between carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), disease activity index (SLEDAI) and syndecan 4 levels by comparing them with healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: 65 SLE patients over 18 years of age, without any other known systemic health system, and 65 healthy volunteers were included in the rheumatology outpatient clinic. Syndecan-4 aspect was studied by ELISA method. Carotid intima media thicknesses of the patient and control groups were measured. The patients' SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), sociodemographic and laboratory data of the patient and control groups were analyzed by recording statistical data (SPSS). Results: The syndecan-4 value of the patient group (8.211±9.069) and the syndecan-4 value of the control group (26.221±24.653) (p=0.000) were found to be statistically significantly lower. The CIMT value of the patient group (0.558±0.116) and the control group were found to be significantly lower. There was a statistically significant difference between the CIMT value (0.49±0.117) (p=0.001) of the group. A significant correlation was found between syndecan 4 and CIMT (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between syndecan 4 level and body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between syndecan 4 levels and disease activity index (SLEDAI) of the patient group (p<0.05). Again, a significant correlation was found between CIMT and SLEDAI in the patient group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the carotid intima media depth, which is an important indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis, was generally higher in our patient group compared to our control group, we think that the Syndecan-4 levels is not reliable in detecting atherosclerosis. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, BMI, CIMT, Sindecan-4, SLE, SLEDAI