Comparative Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Diabetes Mellitus, and in General Medicaid Recipients

Abstract

SLE patients had a 27% higher risk of nonfatal CVD events compared to age- and sex-matched patients with DM and more than twice the risk of the Medicaid general population. The highest relative risk occurred at ages 18-39 years. These high risks merit aggressive evaluation for modifiable factors and research to identify prevention strategies.