Significant association exists between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and pulmonary embolism (PE) regardless of sex, race, age, and associated comorbidities, a recent study found. Females had an overall higher prevalence of SLE-related PE (1.67%) compared with males (1.29%). Retrospective population-based analysis was done using National Hospital Discharge Survey data for the period 2001 to 2010. Patients aged ≥15 years were included in the study. Regression analysis was done including hyperlipidemia, heart failure, lower-limb injury or surgery, hypertension, diabetes cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. Researchers found:

• There is a significant association between SLE and PE, which was independent of sex, race, age, and associated comorbidities.
• Of included comorbidities, primary hypercoagulable disorder has the highest odds of association with PE, followed by African American race compared with whites, and presence of at least 1 of the comorbidities.
• African American SLE cases have the higher prevalence of PE in all age groups, with the exception of persons aged 35 to 44 years.