Plasma Atherogenic Index is an Independent Indicator of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus/Plazma Aterojenik Indeks, Sistemik Lupus Eritematozusunda Subklinik Aterosklerozun Bagimsiz Bir Gostergedir

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by chronic inflammation. Plasma atherogenic index (PAI) is a valuable marker for the cardiovascular disease and cardiac risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and clinical use of PAI in atherosclerosis and the cardiac risk in SLE patients. Materials and Methods: We included 56 female SLE patients who were selected according to the American College of Rheumatology (1997) diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, we selected age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched 56 female healthy individuals. PAI was measured as a logarithmic value of triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio. We used carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) as an inflammatory marker because of its widespread use. The lipid and other biochemical parameters of patient and control groups were examined. Results: The PAI and cIMT values of SLE patients were 0.04 [+ or -] 0.23 and 0.78 [+ or -] 0.18 mm, respectively. Besides, for the control group, the PAI value was -0.09 [+ or -] 0.20 and cIMT value was 0.50 [+ or -] 0.15 mm (p=0.002, p