Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular risk are real challenges in systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE) clinical practice and research. The evidence of the burden of these health
problems in SLE patients is determined by the methods used to assess them. Therefore, the aim
of this scoping review is to map current approaches in assessing obesity, diabetes mellitus, and
cardiovascular risk burden in SLE patients and to identify existing knowledge gaps in this field.
This rapid scoping review was conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology
and identified 274 articles, of which 73 were included. Most studies were conducted at European
institutions and patients were recruited from specialist hospital clinics, the majority of whom were
women. The burden of obesity and diabetes mellitus for SLE patients was assessed mainly in terms
of prevalence, impact on disease activity, and cardiometabolic risk. The burden of cardiovascular
risk was assessed using multiple approaches, mainly imaging and laboratory methods, and risk
factor-based scores, although there is great heterogeneity and uncertainty between the methods
used. This review highlights the importance of improving and standardizing the approach to obesity,
diabetes, and cardiovascular risk in SLE patients through a holistic assessment that includes lifestyle,
clinical, biological, and social aspects.
