Work

Inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis in SLE that may improve SLE-specific cardiovascular risk assessment tools

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cardiovascular (CV) events (CVE) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and affected patients display a two- to three-fold higher risk than the general population. This increased CV risk remains underestimated by traditional CV risk algorithms, which do not account for SLE-specific drivers of accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to examine key biomarkers and immune-mediated pathways involved in immune dysregulation and vascular injury. By comparing their contribution to SLE pathogenesis and atherosclerotic plaque development, we have highlighted biomarkers that may be incorporated into more accurate, SLE-specific CV risk assessment tools. • Traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk algorithms fail to fully capture the increased CV risk in SLE patients. • Several measurable biomarkers reflecting key pathogenic pathways linking autoimmunity to vascular injury have been highlighted. • Their inclusion in the setting up future CV risk algorithms will provide a more accurate evaluation of CV risk in patients with SLE.

Source: Autoimmunity Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2026.104073