D Kaplan1, E M Ginzler, J Feldman. 1. Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have, as part of their disease, persistent rheumatoid-like arthritis are less likely to be hypertensive than are other patients with SLE. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of 662 patients with SLE seen in a university clinic was performed. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that hypertension and persistent arthritis were inversely correlated, particularly in those patients without nephritis and particularly in black patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that rheumatoid-like arthritis in patients with SLE is protective against hypertension, and speculate that this protection is conferred by a higher frequency of the DR4 allele.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have, as part of their disease, persistent rheumatoid-like arthritis are less likely to be hypertensive than are other patients with SLE. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of 662 patients with SLE seen in a university clinic was performed. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that hypertension and persistent arthritis were inversely correlated, particularly in those patients without nephritis and particularly in black patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that rheumatoid-like arthritis in patients with SLE is protective against hypertension, and speculate that this protection is conferred by a higher frequency of the DR4 allele.