Hipertensión arterial en las enfermedades autoinmunes y sistémicas

The generic classification of systemic autoimmune disease is actually an attempt to categorize a diverse group of clinical entities which has as its foundation an anatomopathologically diagnosed conjunctive tissue lesion. The ethiology is still unknown, but is probably multifactorial and includes in its pathophysiological process autoimmunity, inflammation pathology, genetic alterations and infectious agents. While a definitive treatment still has not been found as a cure, the introduction of corticoids and immunosuppressors has served to significantly alter its usual evolution. On the other hand, an increased number of complications are known to have been associated with chronic treatment using these drugs. Treatments with corticoids, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs or inmunosuppresors are able to cause, among other complications, rises in blood pressure and the worsening of already existing essential hypertension, which is the most commonly occurring disease in the general population. What is more, the renal affectation that also occurs in the natural evolution of some systemic autoimmune diseases can provoke the development of secondary hypertension. The present article offers both a review of the main drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases which can cause hypertension, and discusses possible treatments for such diseases. Also reviewed is the management of hypertension associated with renal affectation, a common occurrence in systemic autoimmune diseases.