By: SARA FREEMAN, Family Practice News Digital Network | JUNE 9, 2016

VITALS

Key clinical point: Women with SLE should be encouraged to be screened for cervical cancer, particularly those treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

Major finding: The hazard ratio for cervical neoplasia in women with SLE versus those without was 2.12.

Data source: Swedish registry study of nearly 5,000 women with SLE.

Disclosures: The researchers reported having no relevant financial disclosures.

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LONDON – Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have more than twice the risk of developing cervical neoplasia than do women in the general population, according to the results of a large Swedish registry study.

The study’s results indicate that the highest risk for cervical dysplasia or invasive cancer occurred among women with SLE who were using immunosuppressive agents, compared with those on antimalarial medication.