Moreover, although detectable HS-cTnT in our series was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis independently of classic cardiovascular risk factors, SLE patients with detectable HS-cTnT were older (42 (30–63) vs 33 (29–46) years old, p = 0.001) with a higher percentage of smoking habits (48% vs 23%; p = 0.039) and high blood pressure (15% vs 1%; p < 0.001) as reported in the general population [17, 20, 26, 27]. This evidence concerns the gene TNNT2 and systemic lupus erythematosus.