Table 5

Independent correlates of total cholesterol determined by using multivariate linear regression (GEE)

Variable^a

Parameter estimate

95% CI

P value

Age (years)

0.009

0.004, 0.014

0.0005

SLEDAI-2K score^b

0.04

0.03, 0.05

< 0.0001

Corticosteroids

0.32

0.22, 0.42

< 0.0001

Antimalarials^c

-0.42

-0.53, -0.32

< 0.0001

Immunosuppressives^d

0.17

0.06, 0.27

0.0017

Antihypertensives^e

0.19

0.08, 0.30

0.0009

Hypertension^f

0.34

0.22, 0.46

< 0.0001

GEE, generalized estimating equation; CI, confidence interval.

^aAll variables measured coincident with measurement of total cholesterol.

^bSLE Disease Activity Index 2000; scores range from 0 to 105, with higher scores indicating more-active disease.

^cAntimalarials include chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine.

^d Immunosuppressives include methotrexate, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil,

cyclosporine, and cyclophosphamide.

^eAntihypertensives include all classes of drugs used to lower blood pressure.

^fHypertension is defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg.

Nikpour et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2010 12:R125   doi:10.1186/ar3063