Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease with disproportionate incidence in people of color and low socioeconomic status that involves both acute inflammation and chronic systemic damage. There is growing evidence to suggest that smoking is also associated with cumulative chronic damage in lupus.
This retrospective cohort study from HIP Investigator Dr. Christie Bartels sought to evaluate the impact of smoking status and pack-years of exposure on accumulation of damage, via the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index. In this incident lupus cohort, researchers demonstrate more rapidly accumulated damage in current or former smokers compared to never smokers.
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