In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), elevated CRP levels are not solely attributable to BMI but also reflect chronic systemic inflammation driven by autoimmune dysregulation, contributing to increased cardiovascular risk independent of traditional factors such as hypertension or dyslipidemia (Pesqueda-Cendejas et al., 2022, [link pending DOI]). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is metabolic syndrome.