Abstract | BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a reduced life expectancy and high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as compared to the general population. A number of possible factors for the atherogenesis in this disease have been described, such as homocysteine, altered serum levels of selected lipoproteins and treatment. Recent findings indicate that the systemic inflammation may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and confer an additional risk for cardiovascular death among patients with RA. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of high resolution Bmode ultrasound and color Doppler to assess the existence of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients, measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) and resistance index of the common carotid arteries. METHODS: RESULTS: Common carotid IMT were significantly higher (p=0.0009) in RA patients (0.83 +/- 0.23) compared with controls (0.66 +/- 0.22). In RA patients common carotid IMT was significantly correlated with serum total cholesterol (p=0.0008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.006), triglycerides (p=0.042), age (p=0.031) and disease duration (p=0.019). No significant correlation was found with clinical and laboratory parameters reflecting disease activity. The prevalence of plaques was higher in RA patients compared with controls (25% vs 12.5%). There was no significant difference in color Doppler findings, and in particular in RI, between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm an accelerated atherosclerosis, as shown by increased common carotid IMT, in patients with RA compared with controls and it is related mainly to lipid levels. High-resolution B-mode ultrasound may be considered a promising, sensitive and non invasive tool for assessing the existence of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients.
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Authors | M Carotti, F Salaffi, M Mangiacotti, A Cerioni, G M Giuseppetti, W Grassi |
Journal | Reumatismo
(Reumatismo)
2007 Jan-Mar
Vol. 59
Issue 1
Pg. 38-49
ISSN: 0048-7449 [Print] Italy |
Vernacular Title | Aterosclerosi nell'artrite reumatoide: ruolo dell'ecografia ad alta risoluzione nella valutazione dello spessore arterioso medio-intimale. |
PMID | 17435841
(Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers
- Lipoproteins, HDL
- Lipoproteins, LDL
- Triglycerides
- C-Reactive Protein
- Rheumatoid Factor
- Cholesterol
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
(blood, complications, diagnostic imaging)
- Atherosclerosis
(blood, complications, diagnostic imaging)
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- Body Mass Index
- C-Reactive Protein
(analysis)
- Carotid Artery, Common
(diagnostic imaging, pathology)
- Carotid Stenosis
(diagnostic imaging, pathology)
- Case-Control Studies
- Cholesterol
(blood)
- Female
- Humans
- Lipoproteins, HDL
(blood)
- Lipoproteins, LDL
(blood)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Rheumatoid Factor
(blood)
- Risk Factors
- Severity of Illness Index
- Triglycerides
(blood)
- Tunica Intima
(diagnostic imaging, pathology)
- Tunica Media
(diagnostic imaging, pathology)
- Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
- Vascular Resistance
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