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Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance comorbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus

Effect on carotid intima-media thickness

Komorbidität von metabolischem Syndrom und Insulinresistenz bei systemischem Lupus erythematosus

Wirkung auf Intima-Media-Dicke der A. carotis

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance comorbidity on the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and their relationship to clinical manifestations, disease activity, and damage.

Methods

The study included 92 SLE patients (mean age 30.18 ± 8.27 years) and 30 matched controls. Disease activity and damage were assessed by the SLEDAI and SLICC indices, respectively. The Health Assessment Questionnaire II (HAQII) and Quality of Life (QoL) index were evaluated in the patients. Levels of insulin, glucose, and creatinine and the lipid profile were measured in patients and controls. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-B) for beta cell function and (HOMA-IR) for peripheral tissue insulin resistance. The carotid IMT was measured by ultrasonography.

Results

The SLE patients had high HOMA-IR and HOMA-B. The IMT was significantly increased (0.82± 0.29 mm) compared to the controls (0.45± 0.2 mm).The HOMA-IR, SLEDAI, SLICC, HAQII, and IMT were significantly higher and the QoL lower in those with MetS (n = 34) compared to those without (n = 58), while the HOMAB was comparable. There was a significant correlation between the IMT and the SLEDAI, SLICC, and WHR.

Conclusion

Insulin sensitivity and IMT are altered in SLE patients, especially those with MetS comorbidity with an associated increase in disease activity and damage. Effective management of MetS would help control SLE activity, damage, and the future development of cardiovascular events especially in the absence of symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Wirkung der Komorbidität von metabolischem Syndrom (MetS) und Insulinresistenz auf die Intima-Media-Dicke („intima-media thickness“, IMT) bei Patienten mit systemischem Lupus erythematosus (SLE) und ihren Zusammenhang mit klinischen Symptomen, Krankheitsaktivität und -schäden zu untersuchen

Methoden

In die Studie wurden 92 SLE-Patienten (Durchschnittsalter: 30,18 ± 8,27 Jahre) und 30 entsprechend ausgewählte Kontrollen aufgenommen. Krankheitsaktivität und -schäden wurden anhand der Indizes SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) bzw. SLICC (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) bestimmt. Auch der Health Assessment Questionnaire II (HAQII) und der Lebensqualitätsindex (Quality of life, QoL) wurden bei den Patienten erhoben. Insulin-, Glukose und Kreatininwert sowie Lipidprofil wurden bei Patienten und Kontrollen bestimmt. Die Insulinsensitivität wurde anhand der Indizes HOMA-B (Homeostatic Model Assessment Index) für die Betazellfunktion und HOMA-IR für die Insulinresistenz des peripheren Gewebes ermittelt. Die IMT der A. carotis wurde sonographisch gemessen.

Ergebnisse

Die SLE-Patienten wiesen hohe Werte im HOMA-IR und HOMA-B auf. Bei ihnen war die IMT (0,82± 0,29 mm) im Vergleich zu den Kontrollen (0,45± 0,2 mm) deutlich erhöht. HOMA-IR, SLEDAI, SLICC, HAQII und IMT waren bei den Patienten mit MetS (n = 34) signifikant höher und die QoL niedriger als bei denen ohne MetS (n = 58), HOMA-B war dagegen vergleichbar. Zwischen IMT und SLEDAI, SLICC und WHR bestand eine signifikante Korrelation.

Fazit

Insulinsensitivität und IMT sind bei SLE-Patienten verändert, insbesondere bei jenen, bei denen eine MetS-Komorbidität und ein damit einhergehender Anstieg der Krankheitsaktivität und -schäden bestehen. Eine wirksame Therapie des MetS wäre hilfreich bei der Steuerung der SLE-Aktivität, SLE-Schäden und der zukünftigen Entstehung kardiovaskulärer Ereignisse, insbesondere ohne das Vorliegen von Symptomen kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Correspondence to T.A. Gheita MD.

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Gheita, T., Raafat, H., Sayed, S. et al. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance comorbidity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Z. Rheumatol. 72, 172–177 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-012-1058-9

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