Saves the questions and what to expect into your notes, next to the visit they belong to.
Keep this study
Lead
Tuen Mun Hospital
With
AstraZeneca
To study if aspirin and statins (lipid-lowering agents) can reduce the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Subclinical atherosclerosis is assessed by ultrasound study of the carotid vessels and CT scan of the coronary arteries for calcium scores. Blood markers of endothelial activation will also be studied.
Age
18–any
Sex
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
You may be eligible if
1. Age \> 18 years
2. Fulfillment of at least 4 of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE
3. Presence of any two of the following risk factors:
* SLE duration of \>= 5 years
* Postmenopausal
* Age \>= 40 years
* Diabetes mellitus
* Hypertension (140/90 mmHg)
* Serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) level \>= 2.6 mmol/L or total cholesterol \>= 5.5 mmol/L
* Obesity (body mass index \>= 27 kg/m2)
* Chronic current smoker
* Positive antiphospholipid antibodies
* Renal function impairment
* Persistent proteinuria \>= 1 gm/day for \>= 6 months
4. Informed consent obtained
You may not be if
1. Patients with known allergy to aspirin, or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or statins
2. Patient with a history of severe gastrointestinal intolerance to aspirin (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding) or other NSAIDs
3. Patients with history of arterial or venous thromboembolism
4. Patients receiving aspirin or other anti-platelet agents
