Increased serum leptin levels are associated with metabolic syndrome and carotid intima media thickness in premenopausal systemic lupus erythematosus patients without clinical atherosclerotic vascular events

Abstract

Aim To assess subclinical atherosclerosis and the role of inflammatory mediators, vascular endothelial cell activation markers and adipocytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MetS).