Background/Purpose: Background/purpose Premature atherosclerosis has been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE patients. We aimed to determine 1) the incidence and progression of Coronary-Artery calcification (CAC) and 2) if OPN serum levels are associated with progression of CAC in SLE patients

Methods: Design: Inception Cohort. Since enrollment into the cohort, all patients had a standardized medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, including lipid profile, apoB, homocystein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum complement (C3 and C4), and autoantibodies. Every 3-6 months, patients have been seen at the lupus clinic for medical care, and assessments of disease activity using the SLE disease activity scores, and medications usage. Every year, information has been updated, including irreversible damage accrual, any co-morbidities, traditional cardiovascular risk-factors, and a blood sample has been drawn. In 2008, 104 lupus patients from the cohort (93% females) were screened for coronary-artery calcifications using Multidetector Computed Tomography, after first 5 years of follow-up. In 2018 a follow-up screening for CAC was carried-up. Progression of CAC was considered as positive if i) patients without CAC in 2008 were found with CAC+ in the second screening or ii) patients with CAC positive in 2008 were found with any increase of their Calcium Score. OPN plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Correlates for calcifications were analyzed. Cumulative incidence of CAC was calculated and risk factors for CAC progression were identified by multivariate analysis.

Results: At-enrollment, lupus patients were 27.2+9.1 years of age and disease duration 5.4+3.8 months.. On 2008 during the first screening, CAC were detected in 7. 2% patients, since age 23 years, and from three years of disease duration. At follow-up screening, progression of CAC was identified in 16. 3% (IC95% 10. 4-24. 6). Cumulative incidence of CAC was observed in 9%. Mean value of OPN level at baseline was 102.7 ng/mL (95% CI = 89.3-116.1 ng/mL). Earlier Risk factors associated with CAC were disease activity (p=0. 03) and disease duration (p=0. 03) while risk factors for progression of CAC were postmenopausal status (p=0. 01), apoB levels (p=0. 01) and OPN levels (p=0.009). There was a positive correlation for progression of CAC and adjusted mean SLEDAI at first 5 years of follow-up and baseline OPN levels (p=0.006).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in patients with SLE, early CAC is associated with disease severity while in the progression of CAC, traditional risk factors atherosclerosis and OPN level were adding

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/baseline-serum-osteopontin-opn-level-is-associated-with-early-coronary-artery-calcification-and-its-progression-in-patients-with-systemic-lupus-erythematosus/