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Cardiovascular risk assessment with carotid ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis.

Authors :: González Mazarío R
Fragío Gil JJ
Martínez Calabuig P
Grau García E
Cañada Martínez AJ
Román Ivorra JA
Source :: Medicina clinica [Med Clin (Barc)] 2022 Nov 25; Vol. 159 (10), pp. 470-474. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Mar 08.
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: Background/objective: To assess the Cardiovascular Risk (CV) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients using carotid ultrasound additionally to the traditional CV risk factors.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional case control study was performed including RA patients and matched controls. This study was performed from July-2019 to January-2020. Population over 75 years old, established CV disease and/or chronic kidney disease (from III Stage) were excluded. Statistical analysis included a multivariate variance analysis (Manova) and a negative binomial regression adjusted by confounding factors.<br />Results: Overall, a total of 200 cases and 111 controls were included in the study. Demographical and clinical variables were comparable between groups. A relationship between age, BMI and high blood pressure was detected in both groups. RA patients showed higher intima-media thickness and higher plaque account compared to controls and it was related to the disease duration and DAS28 score.<br />Conclusion: RA leads to a higher intima-media thickness, and this is related to the disease duration and DAS28 score. These findings support that RA acts as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.<br /> (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)