Obesity may influence systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) pathogenesis via stimulation of systemic inflammation, but the relationship between obesity and SLE risk is unclear. Past studies have predominantly assessed White women, while Black women have higher prevalence of both obesity and SLE.
We prospectively assessed the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m
Adult obesity was not related to SLE risk: HR for BMI ≥30 ("obesity") relative to normal BMI at ≥4 years prior to SLE diagnosis was 0.90 (95% CI 0.53-1.54). However, obesity at age 18 was associated with increased risk: HR 2.38 (95% CI 1.26-4.51) for ≥30 vs. normal BMI.
Among these Black women, obesity as a teenager was associated with increased SLE risk in adulthood. Further studies are necessary to understand the biologic mechanisms and windows of exposure for the relationship of obesity to SLE pathogenesis.