Review article

https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.263

Sex-differentiated Incidence of Autoimmune Diseases in Women and Association with Cardiovascular Risk

Asja Stipić Marković orcid.org/0000-0003-2767-2088 ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Marija Valetić orcid.org/0000-0001-6979-2059 ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; University Hospital Centre “Sestre milosrdnice” Zagreb, Croatia
Ingrid Prkačin orcid.org/0000-0002-5830-7131 ; University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; University Hospital “Merkur”, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases can cause significant and chronic morbidity and disability. Women are at a 2.7 times greater risk than men of acquiring autoimmune diseases. Cardiovascular risk in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis indicates early atherosclerosis. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have a 5-8 times higher incidence of coronary artery disease than the general population, which is associated with dyslipidemia, the presence of LDL-phenotype B, and simultaneously present systemic inflammation. Premature atherosclerosis in these patients is the result of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, factors specific to autoimmune disease, and inflammatory mediators. Since cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, this raises the question of preventive cardiology treatment. If kidney failure develops with lupus nephritis and chronic kidney disease, the cardiovascular risk multiplies.

Keywords

women; autoimmune diseases; cardiovascular risk

Hrčak ID:

204772

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/204772

Publication date:

3.9.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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