Lipids, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is commonly associated with early onset cardiovascular disease and is often associated with hyperlipidaemia. This review examines the evidence for an increased prevalence of both CHD and hyperlipidaemia in SLE and mechanisms by which autoimmunity in SLE could accelerate the progression of atheroma. It postulates how lipid lowering therapies used in cardiological disease might help reduce the incidence of CHD in SLE.