Aspirin and Statins for Prevention of Atherosclerosis and Arterial Thromboembolism in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age > 18 years
2. Fulfillment of at least 4 of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE

3. Presence of any two of the following risk factors:

   • SLE duration of >= 5 years
   • Postmenopausal
   • Age >= 40 years
   • Diabetes mellitus
   • Hypertension (140/90 mmHg)
   • Serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) level >= 2.6 mmol/L or total cholesterol >= 5.5 mmol/L
   • Obesity (body mass index >= 27 kg/m2)
   • Chronic current smoker
   • Positive antiphospholipid antibodies
   • Renal function impairment
   • Persistent proteinuria >= 1 gm/day for >= 6 months
4. Informed consent obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with known allergy to aspirin, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or statins
2. Patient with a history of severe gastrointestinal intolerance to aspirin (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding) or other NSAIDs
3. Patients with history of arterial or venous thromboembolism
4. Patients receiving aspirin or other anti-platelet agents
5. Patients receiving long-term non-aspirin NSAIDs
6. Patients receiving anticoagulation therapy (e.g., warfarin)
7. Patients with history of intolerance or allergy to the statins
8. Pregnant or lactating women