Cardiology Prevention in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

We will recruit 30 eligible patients from the Lupus Center of Excellence outpatient clinic. Patients will either be randomized into a preventive cardiology program for aggressive treatment, or randomized to usual care (1:1 ratio) in a single-blinded, randomized trial of 24 months duration. In this feasibility trial we hope to identify and refine any limitations in anticipation of designing a larger, randomized intervention study.

For both arms of the study, at baseline, 6 month, 12 month, 18 month, and 24 month visits (5 visits in total) all patients will be seen by Dr. Elliott, Principal Investigator. Visits will include an interview, fasting laboratory tests completion of questionnaires regarding demographics, socioeconomic status, health status, and risk factors (traditional, inflammatory, and lupus-specific). Dr. Elliott will perform the physical examinations on all patients and complete the lupus-specific disease activity and damage questionnaires. At the Baseline visit, 12-month visit, and 24 24-month visits, all patients will have a carotid ultrasound.

Cohort 1: Preventive Cardiology Program arm: Above and beyond the standard care, which is listed below, the patients in this arm will be aggressively treated by the cardiologist. As deemed prudent, the following may be prescribed: antihypertensives, lipid reducing agents, anti-platelets, further cardiac testing, and behavioral modifications. No standard care treatment will be withheld.

Cohort 2: Standard Care arm: The PI will send a letter of all testing results to their designated PCP. No standard care treatment will be withheld.