Characterization of the lipid profile in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract

IntroductionDyslipidaemia is the most prevalent metabolic disorder in primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and an association between low HDL cholesterol levels and disease activity has been suggested. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of the lipid profile in patients with PSS and explore the correlation between the components of the lipid profile and the activity of the disease. Materials and methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study. We reviewed the medical records of patients over 18 years of age with criteria for PSS who attended the Hospital Universitario Clínica San Rafael during the period between January 2015 to December 2019. We used R-studio software version 4.0.2 for statistical analysis. A descriptive analysis of the clinical-demographic and serological variables was carried out to evaluate the correlation between them. ResultsA total of 250 medical records were reviewed, of which 35 met the inclusion criteria. The average age was 53.4 years and 88.3% were women. The median duration of disease was 42 months. The mean values for total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides were 191 mg/dL, 42.6 mg/dL, 118.9 mg/dL and 157 mg/dL respectively. A Pearson correlation coefficient of −0.43 (95% CI −0.67 to −0.12) p-value = 0.008 was found between the ESSDAI activity index and HDL cholesterol. A linear model was performed between the total ESSDAI activity index and HDL cholesterol, finding an estimated coefficient of −0.17. A ROC curve was performed with an HDL cholesterol segregation point of 43.5 mg/dL with an area under the curve of 0.603 (95% CI 0.40–0.80). By excluding patients with high BMI, the area under the curve improved with a segregation point of 38 mg/dL. ConclusionsPatients with low levels of HDL cholesterol showed higher rates of disease activity, with a cut-off point lower than 43 mg/dL being more marked in patients with normal body mass index.