The Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components with Lupus Nephritis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Background: Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is common in people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), with an incidence that varies from 3.3 percent to 45.2 percent. The purpose of this work was to compare the incidence of Mets in a group of individuals with SLE with that of healthy controls and to examine any potential connotation between Mets and lupus nephritis (LN).Methods: Mets occurred in 34.2% of SLE patients compared with controls. SLE cases had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. LN patients demonstrated elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, and SLEDAI scores. Mets was strongly associated with LN, increased steroid use, and higher disease activity. Age, BMI, central obesity, hypertension, and LN were key predictors.Results: Metabolic syndrome was more prevalent in SLE patients (34.2%) than in controls. Compared to controls, the SLE group had higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and elevated blood pressure, but lower body weight, triglycerides, and HDL levels. Within SLE cases, LN patients showed higher cholesterol, triglycerides, and SLEDAI scores than non-LN patients. The presence of Mets was strongly associated with LN, higher steroid doses, and increased disease activity. Significant predictors of Mets in SLE included age, BMI, central obesity, hypertension, SLEDAI score, LN, and steroid useConclusions: Mets is common in SLE, particularly with LN, and correlates with disease activity and cardiovascular risk.