Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculitis and inflammation in various organs. Cardiovascular involvement, although not frequent in juvenile-onset SLE (j-SLE), if present, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality (1). Particularly, involvement of the myocardium layer may lead to ventricular dysfunction since its progression is insidious (1,2). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) could demonstrate subclinical myocardial deformations (strain) that globally seems normal in conventional echocardiography (2).

Objectives The aim of this study is early detection of subclinical systolic dysfunctions in j-SLE with STE and if present, then to investigate whether this is disease-related or it is a result of other predisposing conditions.

Methods 35 patients with j-SLE and 30 healthy children as a control group were evaluated between January and August 2015 at outpatient clinics of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty. STE was performed on all patients and controls. Medical records that are including age at diagnosis, duration of the disease, diagnostic criteria, laboratory tests and cumulative clinical manifestations were evaluated. SLE disease activity was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). A SLEDAI score >4 was arbitrarily designated as a sign of moderate/severe disease activity.

Results j-SLE patients had lower EF values than control subjects. Left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic dimension (LVESD) were significantly greater in j-SLE patients (42,278±4,530 vs. 37,314±5,535; 28,108±3,344 vs. 24,055±3,290 p=0.001, respectively) than in the control group. There was a significant reduction in systolic parameters of longitudinal strain in the j-SLE group (p<0.05) at all segments compared to control patients.

SLE patients were divided into two subgroups. Group 1 included patients having SLEDAI scores >8 at the beginning of the disease but who improved with therapy during follow up, with resulting SLEDAI scores less than or equal to 4 points. Group 2 included j-SLE patients with SLEDAI scores >8 at diagnosis but with SLEDAI scores still greater than 4 at the end of follow up.

In comparisons of two groups, mid inferior and mid inferolateral LV segment STE strain measurements of Group 2 were significantly lower than those in Group 1, (15.9000±6.47130 vs. 20.0714±4.49725 mid inferior; 17.9000±7.23341 vs. 23.2308±3.87629 mid inferolateral, p=0.075, 0.055, respectively).

Conclusions We can say that prevention of long-term cardiovascular complications in j-SLE begins with noticing the iceberg early, before irreversible changes take place. In this regard, STE is an accurate method for detecting subclinical systolic dysfunction.

1. Apte M, McGwin G Jr, Vilá LM, Kaslow RA, Alarcόn GS, Reveille JD. Associated factors and impact of myocarditis in patients with SLE from LUMINA, a multiethnic US cohort. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2008;47: 362–367.

2. Huang BT, Yao HM, Huang H. Left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus: A three-dimensional speckle tracking study. Echocardiography 2014; 31: 1085–1094.

Disclosure of Interest None declared