Objective To measure and analyze serum oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) concentration in in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods The concentrations of ox-LDL were studied in 47 SLE patients and 42 healthy controls with an ELISA assay and serum lipoproteins levels were also determined. Results Serum ox-LDL levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared with those in controls[（143.40±65.36) mg/L vs (65.77±26.19) mg/L, P<0.01]. The concentrations of total cholesterol, triacyglycerols, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B were also markedly higher in SLE than in controls. Thirty seven patients (sensitivity of 78 %) were found to have elevated ox-LDL concentrations, whereas only 6 of 42 controls (specificity of 86 %) had high ox-LDL levels. When multiple linear regression analysis was performed, LDL-C concentration was found to be the only variable showing a significant correlation with ox-LDL level in SLE group. Conclusion ox-LDL levels are significantly elevated in SLE patients, which is an important risk factor for preditecting atherosclerosis in the patients.