Table 6

Independent correlates of total cholesterol in women only, determined by using multivariate linear regression (GEE)

Variable^a

Parameter estimate

95% CI

P value

Age (years)

0.009

0.006, 0.011

< 0.0001

SLEDAI-2K score^b

0.04

0.036, 0.046

< 0.0001

Disease duration (years)

-0.004

-0.006, -0.0017

0.0008

Corticosteroids

0.31

0.26, 0.36

< 0.0001

Antimalarials^c

-0.41

-0.45, -0.36

< 0.0001

Immunosuppressives^d

0.15

0.11, 0.20

< 0.0001

Antihypertensives^e

0.19

0.14, 0.24

< 0.0001

Hypertension^f

0.25

0.19, 0.32

< 0.0001

Lipid-lowering meds (statins)

-0.09

-0.15, -0.03

0.004

HRT^g

0.17

0.09, 0.25

< 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.

^gEstrogen with/without progestin hormone-replacement therapy.

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