Study Finds People With Lupus Face More Than Twice the Risk of Stroke

A new systematic review and meta-analysis found that people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had a significantly higher risk of stroke compared with people without SLE. Across the studies analyzed, people with SLE had more than twice the overall risk of stroke. 

Researchers analyzed 25 cohort studies involving more than 5.2 million people, including approximately 1.4 million people with SLE, to better quantify the relationship between lupus and different types of stroke. The analysis included studies published between 2001 and 2026 and examined composite, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke outcomes. It found that SLE was associated with a 2.6-fold higher overall risk of stroke, including a 2.34-fold higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 2.66-fold higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The increased risk was seen across age groups, including a 2.84-fold higher risk among people younger than 40 and a 2.38-fold higher risk among those ages 40 and older. 

The findings reinforce the importance of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health as part of comprehensive lupus care. The authors call for additional prospective research to better understand how lupus disease activity, treatments and antiphospholipid antibodies may influence risk. Learn more about lupus and cardiovascular health. 

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