Factors associated with development and mortality of pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Objectives: This study aims to identify the factors associated with the development and mortality of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of SLE patients in a single tertiary center. PH was defined as a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure >= 30mmHg on transthoracic echocardiography. We assessed potential associated factors contributing to the development and mortality of PH in SLE patients. Results: Of 1110 patients with SLE, 48 patients were identified to have PH. Multivariable analysis indicated that pleuritis or pericarditis (odds ratio (OR) = 4.62), anti-RNP antibody (OR = 2.42), interstitial lung disease (ILD) (OR=8.34) and cerebro-cardiovascular disease (OR = 13.37) were independently associated with the development of PH in SLE. Subgroup analysis among patients with PH demonstrated that there were no statistically significant factors associated with PH mortality in SLE. Conclusions: The prevalence of PH was 4.3% in our cohort. There were significant associations with pleuritis or pericarditis, anti-RNP antibody, ILD, and cerebro-cardiovascular disease in SLE, which may contribute to the development of PH. However, there were no statistically significant factors associated with PH mortality in SLE.