Association of Anti-Ro Antibodies with ECG Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital
Novelty in Biomedicine,
Vol. 13 No. 3 (2025),
27 July 2025
,
Page 167-171
https://doi.org/10.22037/nbm.v13i3.47688
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with various cardiovascular manifestations. Anti-Ro antibodies are commonly found in SLE patients and may contribute to cardiac abnormalities, including electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. This study assessed the association between Anti-Ro antibodies and ECG abnormalities in SLE patients.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 85 SLE patients, all positive for Anti-Ro antibodies, were enrolled from a university hospital. Demographic data, clinical features, and 12-lead ECG results were collected. ECG abnormalities were evaluated, including sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, QRS fragmentation, ST changes, and QT interval prolongation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with appropriate statistical tests to compare variables.
Results: Among the 85 patients, 6 (7.06%) exhibited sinus tachycardia, 1 (1.18%) had premature ventricular contractions, and 12.94% showed QRS fragmentation. ST elevation was observed in a minority of patients (30.59%), while 88.24% had normal ST depression results. QTc was prolonged in 11.76% of patients. No significant associations were found between Anti-Ro antibodies and specific ECG abnormalities.
Conclusion: This study did not find a significant correlation between Anti-Ro antibodies and ECG abnormalities in SLE patients. However, further research with a larger sample size and more in-depth analysis is needed to clarify Anti-Ro antibodies' role in SLE's cardiovascular manifestations.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Anti-Ro antibodies
- Electrocardiographic abnormalities
- Sinus tachycardia
- QT prolongation
- Cardiovascular manifestations
- Autoimmune disease
How to Cite
References
Borchers, A.T., et al., The geoepidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmunity reviews, 2010. 9(5): p. A277-A287.
Fava, A. and M. Petri, Systemic lupus erythematosus: diagnosis and clinical management. Journal of autoimmunity, 2019. 96: p. 1-13.
Siegel, C.H. and L.R. Sammaritano, Systemic lupus erythematosus: a review. Jama, 2024. 331(17): p. 1480-1491.
Villuendas, R., et al., Usefulness of cardiac screening in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Lupus, 2021. 30(10): p. 1596-1602.
Yang, H.-T., et al., Clinical Significance of Different Profiles of anti‐Ro Antibodies in Connective Tissue Diseases. Journal of Immunology Research, 2023. 2023(1): p. 9195157.
Nicola, S., et al., Relationship between clinical manifestations and serological profile in patients affected by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024. 15: p. 1390642.
Teixeira, R.A., et al., Arrhythmias in systemic lupus erythematosus. Revista Brasileira de reumatologia, 2010. 50: p. 81-89.
Plastiras, S.C. and H.M. Moutsopoulos, Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Arrhythmia & electrophysiology review, 2021. 10(1): p. 17.
Dogdu, O., et al., Assessment of atrial conduction time in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 2011. 59(2): p. 281-286.
Seferović, P., et al., Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Rheumatology, 2006. 45(suppl_4): p. iv39-iv42.
Jha, S.B., et al., Systemic lupus erythematosus and cardiovascular disease. Cureus, 2022. 14(2).
Hussain, K., et al., A meta-analysis and systematic review of valvular heart disease in systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with antiphospholipid antibodies. JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 2021. 27(8): p. e525-e532.
Liao, Q., et al., Clinical characteristics and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Heart and Vessels, 2024: p. 1-11.
Wang, X., et al., Cardiac manifestations in a Chinese cohort of fetuses from mothers with anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2022. 10: p. 904138.
Lazzerini, P.E., M. Boutjdir, and P.L. Capecchi, Anti-Ro/SSA-antibodies and heart rhythm disturbances in the general population: the ‘dark side of the immune’. 2022, Oxford University Press US. p. 4920-4922.
Ben-Shabat, N., et al., Anti-Ro and anti-La seropositivity is associated with increased rates of ischemic heart disease in adults: Results from a large population-based study. Atherosclerosis, 2024. 396: p. 117626.
Garcia, L.P.W., et al., New EULAR/ACR 2019 SLE classification criteria: defining ominosity in SLE. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2021. 80(6): p. 767-774.
Akuka, A., et al., Association of anti-Ro seropositivity with cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances. European Heart Journal, 2022. 43(47): p. 4912-4919.
Santos-Pardo, I., et al., Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and cardiac rhythm disturbances: Present and future perspectives. International Journal of Cardiology, 2015. 184: p. 244-250.
Lazzerini, P.E., et al., Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and the autoimmune long-QT syndrome. Frontiers in Medicine, 2021. 8: p. 730161.
Azharudeen, M., et al., QT interval parameters, anti-Ro antibody status, and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 2020. 50(4): p. 380-386.
- Abstract Viewed: 96 times
- pdf Downloaded: 63 times