Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with lipid metabolism disorders.

OBJECTIVE To determine lipid spectrum and cholesterol (C) content in circulating immune complexes (CICs) in the blood of SLE patients and control group

Methods SLE patients were divided into two groups: the 1st group – 37 patients with new-onset SLE (median age 29[22;39] years), the 2nd group – 35 patients receiving low-dose glucocorticoid therapy (<7,5mg/day) for a long time (at least 5 years) (median age 34[21;44] years, median disease duration 14[5;28] years. SLADAI 2K was higher in patients of group 1 (21[12;39]) compared to patients of group 2 (2[0;8], p<0,05). The control group was composed of 30 women (48[45;57]years) without autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.

Results Dyslipidemia occurred in 38% of the 1st group and 34% in the 2nd group. Average lipids levels of the SLE and control groups are presented in the (table 1). As can be seen from the table both treatment groups had elevated levels of triglycerides (TG), and the 1st group showed a reduction in a LDL-C level. Patients with new-onset SLE expressed more significant disorders in the lipid profile (increase of TG levels and low LDL-C concentration). SLE patients’ serum samples of the 2nd group were characterized by elevated levels of C-CICs in contrast to the control group levels, while the difference between the two treatment groups appears to be insignificant (p=0,41).

Conclusions C percentage increase in CICs, immune mediator circulating in SLE patients’ blood and presumably affecting atherosclerosis progression in SLE, appear to be the characteristic of blood serum lipid spectrum of the 2nd group patients and a distinguishing feature of the 2nd group patient’ serum samples in contrast to the 1st group.