Objective  To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with systiic lupus erythiatosus (SLE) with heart damage and to explore the risk factors for heart damage in SLE patients.

  Methods  A total of 169 patients with SLE were enrolled in this study. According to echocardiography, the patients were divided into two groups: heart damage group (n=78) and non-damage group (n=91). Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors of cardiac injury in patients with SLE.

  Results  The score of systiic lupus erythiatosus activity index (SLEDAI), the levels of urinary protein, triglyceride, creatinine and uric acid in the heart damage group were higher than those in the non-heart damage group, while the red blood cell count and the level of complient C3 in the heart damage group were lower than those in the non-heart damage group(P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that SLEDAI score (OR=1.136, P < 0.05, 95%CI, 1.024 to 1.260) and Raynaud phenomenon (OR=0.422, P < 0.05, 95%CI, 0.182 to 0.977) were significantly correlated with heart damage in SLE patients. The incidence rates of photosensitivity, Raynaud's symptom and nephritis in the patients with SLEDAI score ≥10 were higher than those with SLEDAI score < 10 (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, anti-C1q antibody titer, triglyceride and complient C3 and C4 between the two groups.

  Conclusion  The risk of heart damage is significantly increased in patients with SLE. SLEDAI score, urinary protein, triglyceride, creatinine, uric acid, red blood cell count and complient C3 can be used as risk factors for heart damage in patients with SLE. Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and highly active disease should be examined by echocardiography and electrocardiogram as soon as possible, and the prevention strategy should be started after comprehensive evaluation.