Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background A 41-year-old, previously healthy woman presented with chest pain, fevers, arthritis, facial rash, pericarditis, proteinuria and a positive antinuclear antibody; she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She initially responded well to steroids, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine; however, disease manifestations subsequently worsened in the setting of erratic medical compliance. During this time she participated in an observational study to evaluate risk factors for the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with SLE.