Assessment of State of Vessel Wall and Endothelial Function in Children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

In children with systemic lupus erythematosus there had been observed the intima-media thickening and increase in stiffness of common carotid artery wall as compared with healthy children. Disease duration, duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose of glucocorticoids has an impact on the mentioned changes. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, endothelial dysfunction is detected, its degree depends on disease activity, but also present in inactive disease.

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• blood vessels
• endothelial dysfunction