No association between socioeconomic deprivation and cardiovascular risk or damage in systemic lupus erythematosus within a universal healthcare system: a cohort study from the Basque Country

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic deprivation is a well-recognized determinant of cardiovascular health. We evaluated its influence on cardiovascular risk and damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Basque Country, where universal healthcare coverage is guaranteed.

Methods: Observational cohort study including 293 SLE patients with a 5-year follow-up. The association between the Basque Country's Socioeconomic Deprivation Index and cardiovascular risk factors and damage (SLICC index) was analyzed using multilevel generalized linear mixed models.

Results: No significant associations were found between deprivation levels and the number of cardiovascular risk factors at diagnosis or at 5 years, nor with cardiovascular damage. Age at diagnosis and disease activity were the main predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.

Conclusion: In a universal healthcare setting, socioeconomic deprivation was not associated with worse cardiovascular risk or damage in SLE patients. These findings do not establish causality but are consistent with the hypothesis that universal healthcare may mitigate socioeconomic gradients in SLE cardiovascular outcomes.