Assessing and Treating CV Risk Increases in Systemic Lupus

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We’ve recognized the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in SLE for almost half a century since Urowitz et al. first described a bimodal pattern of mortality in lupus patients in 1976. Numerous subsequent studies have confirmed this, with estimates of increased risk ranging from 2-10-fold compared to the general population. Most striking is the risk in young patients; in their landmark study, Manzi et al. found that women with SLE in the 35–44-year age group had an almost 50-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction compared to age-matched women without SLE.

Lupus in an empty house

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The full house immunofluorescence pattern is the classic histopathologic finding of lupus and lupus nephritis. Glomerular deposits staining for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C1q can help confirm a suspected diagnosis of SLE. But what about patients with negative immunofluorescence and no proliferative or membranous features?

Smoking & Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Investigators from the Netherlands have published their findings that smoking is a risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), led by the induction of local autoimmune responses at mucosal sites (in the lungs) and exemplified by RA-specific autoantibodies. 

Comparing EULAR (2025) and ACR (2020) Guidelines on Safety of Lupus Medications in Pregnancy Attendees at the 2025 RheumaPreg meeting were excited to discuss the newly released EULAR recommendations for use of antirheumatic drugs in reproduction, pregnancy, and lactation. https://t.co/DSYPaElRij