Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease, which may lead to arterial dysfunction, and that could be the reason of enhanced development of atherosclerosis and premature aging of the arteries.

Aim of the study: was to assess whether aortic augmentation index (AIx) and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were modified in young age SLE women and which of parameters is more prominent.

Methods: We examined 30 SLE women (age 37.33 ± 9.22 years) with moderate disease activity (SLEDAI 18.40 ± 8.17) and 66 controls women (age 37.45 ± 8.69 years). AIx was assessed non-invasively by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor v.7.01, AtCor Medical). The FMD test in a brachial artery was performed by the ultrasound system (Logiq 700, General Electric).

Results: In SLE women AIx (20.53 ± 12.40 vs 13.50 ± 10.14; p=0.004) was significantly higher as compared to the controls. Linear regression did not indicate direct relationship between arterial wall parameter AIx and presence of SLE. The main explanatory factor for AIx was MBP. FMD was not significant decrease in SLE women compared to the controls (9.25 ± 5.12 vs 9.69 ± 3.29; p=0.670) and it depends on vessel diameter, disease duration and body mass index.

Conclusions: AIx, not FMD, is a more prominent arterial wall parameter in the group of relatively young SLE women as compared to the controls. Nonetheless, the inclusion of additional factors shows that AIx is better explained by MBP. Relationship between SLE and measures of arterial wall parametres still remains unclear. Allthough there are evidences at least of indirect impact of SLE on arterial stiffness parametres.