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High
density lipoprotein is usually considered the "good" cholesterol,
since higher levels of this kind of cholesterol protect against
heart disease and strokes (atherosclerosis). Research presented
at the 2005 annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology
suggests that a certain form of (HDL) called pro-inflammatory
HDL piHDL, may be linked with atherosclerosis and heart disease
in people with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. The good news is
that piHDL can potentially be measured and treated.
The
study measured levels of both pro-inflammatory HDL and normal
HDL in samples of blood from 154 women with lupus, 73 healthy
people (control group) who were matched for age to the lupus
patients, and 50 women with rheumatoid arthritis.
Compared
to the control group, the HDL from those with lupus contained
significantly more piHDL—found in almost 50 percent of
lupus patients, versus approximately 4 percent of controls and
20 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients, according to Dr.
Bevra Hahn. In
addition, piHDL was found in 8 of the 10 individuals with
lupus who had actual atherosclerosis. The biomarker was similarly
high in half of the 12 subjects with lupus who had suffered
a stroke (cerebrovascular event).
Dr. Hahn
concluded that the discovery could lead to a blood test that
could help to identify people with lupus who are at increased
risk for blockage of the coronary arteries.
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