Among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients enrolled in Medicaid, myocardial infarction (MI) risk was lower among Hispanics and Asians, while stroke risk was elevated among blacks and Hispanics compared to whites, a recent study found. Within Medicaid Analytic eXtract (2000-2010), researchers identified patients aged 18 to 65 with SLE and ≥12 months of continuous enrollment. Subjects were followed from index date to first cardiovascular disease (CVD) event (MI or stroke), death, disenrollment, or end of follow-up. Race/ethnicity-specific annual CVD event rates were calculated. Of 65,788 SLE patients, 93.1% were female and approximately 42% black, 38% white, 16% Hispanic, 3% Asian, and 1% American Indian/Alaska Native. Mean follow-up was 3.8 ±3.1 years. They found:

• CVD event rates were highest among blacks and lowest among Asians.
• After multivariable adjustment, risk of CVD events was increased among blacks compared to whites.
• Hispanics and Asians had lower MI risk, whereas blacks and Hispanics had higher stroke risk.