Objective: To determine if a program of dietary modification and fish oil supplementation is effective in treating the dyslipoproteinemia in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods: Prospective clinical trial where each patient serves as his/her own control. Twenty-four consecutive adolescents fulfilling SLE classification criteria were screened with fasting lipid profiles. Patients were identified as having dyslipoproteinemia of active disease or of corticosteroid therapy. Patients were treated for 6 weeks with dietary modification and if dyslipoproteinemia did not normalize with another 6 weeks of dietary modification and fish oil supplementation.
Results: Seventeen patients (71%) had dyslipoproteinemia; 10 of active disease, 4 of steroid therapy; 3 with a combined pattern. Eleven patients underwent dietary modification. There was a significant decrease in serum triglyceride concentrations (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change significantly. A further significant decline in serum triglycerides was achieved with fish oil supplementation (p < 0.05). Five of the 11 patients who underwent treatment continued to have dyslipoproteinemia.
Conclusion: Dyslipoproteinemia is common in pediatric SLE. Dietary modification and fish oil supplementation appear to be effective in improving serum lipid profiles, and blinded studies are warranted. a significant number of patients may require pharmacologic therapy for persistent dyslipoproteinemia to prevent complications of premature atherosclerosis.