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Drosos AA, Venetsanopoulou AA, Pelechas E, Voulgari PV. Exploring Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 128:1-9. [PMID: 39048336 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2024.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the peripheral diarthrodial joints symmetrically and also presenting many extra-articular manifestations. Morbidity and mortality in RA patients are higher compared to the general population. Cardiovascular (CV) disease is one of the most common causes of death in these patients. Classical or traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis development occur more frequently in RA patients compared to those without this condition. Studies have showed that RA patients often present comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and obesity. However, the high incidence of CV events occurring in RA patients is not explained by the presence of traditional risk factors. Systemic inflammation, as it is expressed with the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and increased acute phase reactants, may contribute to the development of premature atherosclerosis in these patients. In this review, we explore the risk factors for CV disease, the generation of dyslipidemia, the lipid paradox and the role of systemic inflammation in the atherosclerotic process in RA. We discuss also the role of early therapeutic intervention that suppresses inflammation which may have beneficial effects on CV disease in RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros A Drosos
- Department of Rheumatology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Aliki A Venetsanopoulou
- Department of Rheumatology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Pelechas
- Department of Rheumatology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Paraskevi V Voulgari
- Department of Rheumatology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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2
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Ramírez Huaranga MA, Velasco Sánchez D, Calvo Pascual LÁ, Castro Corredor D, Mínguez Sánchez MD, Salas Manzanedo V, Revuelta Evrard E, Arenal López R, Anino Fernández J, González Peñas M, Martin de la Sierra López L, Jiménez Rodríguez LM, López Menchero Mora A, Huertas MP. Cardiovascular event in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Castilla-La Mancha: Utility of carotid ultrasound. REUMATOLOGIA CLINICA 2024; 20:150-154. [PMID: 38443230 DOI: 10.1016/j.reumae.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has a mortality rate 1,3 to 3 times higher than the general population, with cardiovascular mortality accounting for 40-50% of cases. Currently, cardiovascular disease is considered an extraarticular manifestation of RA (OR: 1,5-4,0). Ultrasound measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) is a non-invasive method and a surrogate marker of subclinical arteriosclerosis. OBJECTIVE To determine if subclinical arteriosclerosis findings through carotid ultrasound can serve as a good predictor of cardiovascular events (CVE) development in a cohort of RA patients over a 10-year period. METHODOLOGY A cohort of RA patients seen in the Rheumatology outpatient clinic of a hospital in Castilla La Mancha in 2013 was evaluated. A prospective evaluation for the development of CVE over the following 10 years was conducted, and its correlation with previous ultrasound findings of IMT and AP was analyzed. RESULTS Eight (24%) patients experienced a CVE. Three (9%) had heart failure, three (9%) had a stroke, and two (6%) experienced acute myocardial infarction. RA patients who developed a CVE had a higher IMT (0,97 +/- 0.08 mm) compared to the RA patients without CV complications (0,74 +/- 0.15 mm) (p = 0,003). The presence of IMT ≥ 0.9 mm and AP had a relative risk of 12,25 (p = 0,012) and 18,66 (p = 0,003), respectively, for the development of a CVE. CONCLUSIONS Carotid ultrasound in RA patients may allow for early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis before the development of CVE, with IMT ≥ 0.9 mm being the most closely associated finding with CVE, unaffected by age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Velasco Sánchez
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - David Castro Corredor
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | | | - Eva Revuelta Evrard
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rocío Arenal López
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Marina González Peñas
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Marcos Paulino Huertas
- Servicio de Reumatología, Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Hollan I. Lessons from Cardiac and Vascular Biopsies from Patients with and without Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2023; 49:129-150. [PMID: 36424021 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Feiring Heart Biopsy Study enables searching for potential pathogenetic mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and biomarkers through the assessment of clinical data and multiple blood and tissue samples from patients with and without inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs), undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Some of our findings, for example, more inflammation (including the presence of immune cells and expression of proinflammatory cytokines) in vessels and the heart, and the presence of certain bacteria and autoantigens in vessels, could contribute to the increased risk of ischemia, aneurysms, and/or cardiac dysfunction in IRDs. Furthermore, some of the detected factors could be involved in the pathomechanisms of these conditions in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Hollan
- Department of Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Teknologivegen 22, 2815 Gjøvik, Norway.
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Videm V, Houge IS, Liff MH, Hoff M. Inflammation mediates approximately one quarter of excess relative all-cause mortality in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: the Trøndelag Health Study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18599. [PMID: 36329101 PMCID: PMC9633644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21977-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation may contribute to excess mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We investigated associations to all-cause mortality of the inflammation markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), lactoferrin (neutrophil activation marker), and neopterin (monocyte activation marker). From the population-based Trøndelag Health Study (3rd wave 2006-2008), 316 RA patients and 43,579 controls were included. Lactoferrin and neopterin were quantified in a nested cohort (n = 283 RA patients, n = 3698 controls). Follow-up was until death found by linkage to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry or 31.12.2018. All-cause mortality was analyzed using Cox regression and Cox regression-based mediation analysis. Having RA (hazard ratio (HR): 1.25, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.56, p = 0.048), and CRP ≥ 3 mg/L (HR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.41, 1.60, p < 0.001) were associated with all-cause mortality. The overall excess relative mortality risk of having RA was 38%. CRP ≥ 3 mg/L mediated approximately 1/4 of this risk (p < 0.001). In the nested cohort, CRP ≥ 3 mg/L (HR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.26, 1.80, p < 0.001) and neopterin (HR: 1.17, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.36, p = 0.031) were associated with all-cause mortality. In conclusion, CRP levels ≥ 3 mg/L mediated approximately a quarter of the 38% excess relative all-cause mortality risk associated with RA. Using definitions of RA remission with emphasis both on joint status and the level of general inflammation may help guide the most efficient treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibeke Videm
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Lab Center 3 East, St. Olavs University Hospital, 7006 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingrid Sæther Houge
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marthe Halsan Liff
- grid.414625.00000 0004 0627 3093Department of Rheumatology, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Clinic of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Dermatology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Mari Hoff
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.52522.320000 0004 0627 3560Department of Rheumatology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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Hammer HB, Rollefstad S, Semb AG, Jensen G, Karoliussen LF, Terslev L, Haavardsholm EA, Kvien TK, Uhlig T. Urate crystal deposition is associated with inflammatory markers and carotid artery pathology in patients with intercritical gout: results from the NOR-Gout study. RMD Open 2022; 8:rmdopen-2022-002348. [PMID: 35863863 PMCID: PMC9310249 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gout is of unknown reason associated with cardiovascular disease. Ultrasound is sensitive for detecting crystal deposition and plasma calprotectin is a sensitive inflammatory marker. This study explores the associations between crystal deposition, inflammation and carotid artery pathology. METHOD A cross-sectional analysis of baseline assessments from the NOR-Gout study was undertaken. Crystal deposition was assessed by ultrasound (double contour, tophi, aggregates) and dual-energy CT (DECT) and laboratory assessments included plasma calprotectin. The carotid arteries were bilaterally examined for carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and presence of plaques. Spearman correlations, Mann-Whitney tests and linear regression analyses were used to explore associations between crystal deposition, inflammatory markers,and carotid pathology. RESULTS 202 patients with intercritical gout (95.5% men, mean (SD) age 56.5 (13.8) years, disease duration 7.9 (7.7) years) were included. Calprotectin was correlated with all scores of crystal deposition by ultrasound (r=0.26-0.32, p<0.001) and DECT (r=0.15, p<0.05). cIMT was correlated with sum score aggregates (r=0.18-0.22, p<0.05). Patients with large tophi had higher levels of calprotectin as well as more frequent carotid plaque (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Study findings point towards crystal deposition contributing to subclinical inflammation with subsequent vascular implications. However, future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm such causal relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Berner Hammer
- Dept of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Peventive Cardio-Rheuma clinic, Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Peventive Cardio-Rheuma clinic, Division of Rheumatology and Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro Jensen
- Clinical chemical laboratory, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - L Terslev
- Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Espen A Haavardsholm
- Dept of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Dept of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Till Uhlig
- Dept of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Anno S, Okano T, Mamoto K, Sugioka Y, Tada M, Inui K, Koike T, Nakamura H. Incidence of New Carotid Plaques in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Six Years Prospective Results of the TOMORROW Study. Mod Rheumatol 2022; 33:481-489. [PMID: 35652495 DOI: 10.1093/mr/roac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate new incidence of carotid plaques in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients over 6-year prospective follow-up and assess the risk factors. METHODS This is a 10-year prospective cohort study included 208 RA patients and 205 age- and gender-matched controls. Ultrasound assessment of the bilateral carotid arteries was performed in 2011 and 2017. RESULTS There were no differences in the incidence of new carotid atherosclerotic plaques over 6 years between the two groups (35.5% vs. 37.0%, respectively; p = 0.936). The mean Disease Activity Score 28- C-reactive protein over 6 years in RA patients was 2.73 ± 0.95. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that RA was not a risk factor for new carotid atherosclerotic plaques (odds ratios, 0.708; 95% CI, 0.348-1.440; p = 0.340). An average glucocorticoid dose >1.8 mg/day over 6 years was a risk factor for new carotid atherosclerotic plaques (odds ratios, 8.54; 95% CI, 1.641-44.455; p =0.011). CONCLUSIONS Incidence of new carotid atherosclerotic plaques was similar between well-controlled disease activity RA patients and control subjects. A mean glucocorticoid dose >1.8 mg/day over 6 years was a risk factor for new carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Anno
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Social Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tadashi Okano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Mamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuko Sugioka
- Center for Senile Degenerative Disorders (CSDD), Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahiro Tada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Inui
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Saiseikai Nakatsu Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Koike
- Center for Senile Degenerative Disorders (CSDD), Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Search Institute for Bone and Arthritis Disease (SINBAD), Shirahama Foundation for Health and Welfare, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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7
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Rojas-Giménez M, López-Medina C, Calvo-Gutiérrez J, Puche-Larrubia MÁ, Gómez-García I, Seguí-Azpilcueta P, Ábalos-Aguilera MDC, Ruíz D, Collantes-Estévez E, Escudero-Contreras A. Association between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and the Use of Biological or Small Molecule Therapies in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 12:diagnostics12010064. [PMID: 35054229 PMCID: PMC8775122 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the association of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and also the presence of atheromatous plaque, with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, in an established cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on a cohort of patients with RA and a registry of healthy controls, in whom the CIMT and presence of atheromatous plaque were assessed by ultrasound. Data were collected on disease activity, lab results and treatments. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed and two multivariate linear regression models (with CIMT as the dependent variable) were constructed to identify variables independently associated with CIMT in our sample of patients with RA. Results: A total of 176 individuals (146 patients with RA and 30 controls) were included. A higher percentage of patients than controls had atheromatous plaque (33.8% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.036), but no differences were found in terms of CIMT (0.64 vs. 0.61, p = 0.444). Compared to values in patients on other therapies, the CIMT was smaller among patients on tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors (mean [SD]: 0.58 [0.10] vs. 0.65 [0.19]; p = 0.013) and among those on Janus kinase inhibitors (mean [SD]: 0.52 [0.02] vs. 0.64 [0.18]; p < 0.001), while no differences were found as a function of the use of the other therapies considered. The multivariate linear regression analysis to identify factors associated with CIMT in our patients, adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high levels of low-density lipoproteins, diabetes mellitus and smoking, showed that male sex, older age and having a greater cumulative erythrocyte sedimentation rate were independently associated with a larger CIMT, while patients on TNFα inhibitors had a CIMT 0.075 mm smaller than those on other treatments. Conclusions: The use of TNFα inhibitors may protect against subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RA, patients on this biologic having smaller CIMTs than patients on other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Nonetheless, these results should be confirmed in prospective studies with larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rojas-Giménez
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
| | - Clementina López-Medina
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jerusalem Calvo-Gutiérrez
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
| | - María Ángeles Puche-Larrubia
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
| | - Ignacio Gómez-García
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
| | - Pedro Seguí-Azpilcueta
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Research Institute of Biomedical Medicine from Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (P.S.-A.); (M.d.C.Á.-A.); (E.C.-E.); (A.E.-C.)
| | - María del Carmen Ábalos-Aguilera
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Research Institute of Biomedical Medicine from Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (P.S.-A.); (M.d.C.Á.-A.); (E.C.-E.); (A.E.-C.)
| | - Desirée Ruíz
- Rheumatology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba (UCO), 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (M.R.-G.); (J.C.-G.); (M.Á.P.-L.); (I.G.-G.); (D.R.)
| | - Eduardo Collantes-Estévez
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Research Institute of Biomedical Medicine from Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (P.S.-A.); (M.d.C.Á.-A.); (E.C.-E.); (A.E.-C.)
| | - Alejandro Escudero-Contreras
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Research Institute of Biomedical Medicine from Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Córdoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain; (P.S.-A.); (M.d.C.Á.-A.); (E.C.-E.); (A.E.-C.)
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8
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Anyfanti P, Dara A, Angeloudi E, Bekiari E, Dimitroulas T, Kitas GD. Monitoring and Managing Cardiovascular Risk in Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:6893-6906. [PMID: 34934338 PMCID: PMC8684400 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s276986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and it is predominately attributed to the interplay between chronic inflammation and traditional CVD risk factors. CVD has significant impact on the survival of patients with IMIDs as it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite recommendations for monitoring and managing CVD in patients with IMIDs, the individual CVD risk assessment remains problematic as CVD risk calculators for the general population consistently underestimate the risk in patients with IMIDs. Application of new technologies utilizing artificial intelligence techniques have shown promising potential for tailoring predictive medicine to the individual patient, but further validation of their role in clinical decision-making is warranted. In the meantime, individuals with IMIDs should be encouraged to adopt behavioral interventions targeting at modifiable lifestyle CVD risk factors, whereas rheumatologists need to be well aware of the unfavorable effects of antirheumatic medication on various CVD risk factors and outcomes. In the current paper, we aim to provide an overview of current and emerging strategies for mitigating CVD risk in patients with IMIDs, based on a practical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Anyfanti
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasia Dara
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elena Angeloudi
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Bekiari
- Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodoros Dimitroulas
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George D Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK.,School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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9
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Trang DAMT, Okamura K, Suto T, Sakane H, Yonemoto Y, Nakajima T, Tsushima Y, Chikuda H. Do biologic therapies reduce aortic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients? Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:206. [PMID: 34344436 PMCID: PMC8330127 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02585-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the present study, we evaluated the inflammatory activity of the ascending aorta in RA patients who received biological treatment. Methods We assessed the aortic wall inflammation of RA patients using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography before and after 6 months of biologic therapies. We also compared the inflammatory activity at the aortic wall in RA patients with remission or low disease activity (RLDA) and those with moderate or high disease activity (MHDA). The aortic uptake was measured by the standardized uptake value (SUV) and the target-to-background ratio (TBR). Results A total of 64 patients were included in the analysis (mean age, 58.4 ± 13.8 years old; female, 77%). The Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) had significantly decreased after 6 months: from 5.0 ± 1.2 to 3.3 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001). The FDG uptake in the ascending aorta changed from baseline to 6 months, showing a maximum SUV (SUVmax) of 1.83 ± 0.34 to 1.90 ± 0.34 (p = 0.059) and TBR of 1.71 ± 0.23 to 1.75 ± 0.24 (p = 0.222). The SUVmax and TBR after 6 months were significantly higher in the RLDA group than in the MHDA group (2.05 ± 0.32 vs. 1.79 ± 0.33 (p = 0.002) and 1.89 ± 0.33 vs. 1.65 ± 0.20 (p = 0.001), respectively). The percentage of monocytes also significantly increased from baseline to 6 months: from 5.9 ± 1.6 to 6.9 ± 2.6 (p = 0.032). Conclusion The inflammation activity at the ascending aorta in RA patients did not change significantly after 6 months of biological treatment. RA patients with a low disease activity or in clinical remission after 6 months of biological treatment still had an increased inflammatory activity at the aortic wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A M Thuy Trang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-machi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.,Radiology Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Koichi Okamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Takahito Suto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hideo Sakane
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yukio Yonemoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takahito Nakajima
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-machi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshito Tsushima
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-machi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.,Research Program for Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging, Division of Integrated Oncology Research, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Chikuda
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Showamachi 3-39-15, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
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10
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Gerasimova EV, Popkova TV, Gerasimova DA, Glukhova SI, Nasonov EL, Lila AM. Application of cardiovascular risk scales to identify carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. TERAPEVT ARKH 2021; 93:561-567. [DOI: 10.26442/00403660.2021.05.200787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aim. To evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CVR) and analyze its relationship with detection of early carotid artery atherosclerotic lesion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Materials and methods. One hundred and nine RA patients aged 45 to 60 without established cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were included in the study. The median age was 52 [48; 54] years, duration of RA was 120 [36; 204] months, DAS28 was 4.7 [3.5; 5.6] points. CVD risk was calculated with mSCORE, Reynolds Risk Score (RRS), ASSIGN, QRISK3, ERS-RA scales and Carotid Artery Doppler Ultrasound Exam was performed for all patients.
Results. High risk was found in 5, 5, 14, 6, and 38% of patients according to mSCORE, RRS, ASSIGN, QRISK3, ERS-RA scales, respectively. Atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries were found in 30% of patients. It was found that carotid intima-media thickness is correlated to all CVR calculators, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6 levels. The sensitivity and specificity of the CVR algorithms in prognostication of atherosclerotic carotid artery lesions were 73 and 67% for mSCORE, 64 and 63% for RRS, 64 and 56% for ASSIGN, 73 and 49% for QRISK3, respectively, p0.05 in all cases, 67 and 50% for ERS-RA, p=0.06.
Conclusion. RRS, mSCORE, ASSIGN, QRISK3 calculators equally predict atherosclerotic carotid artery damage in RA patients. The optimal ratio of specificity and sensitivity is shown for the mSCORE scale. Stratification of CVR in RA patients should include assessment of the carotid intima-media thickness. To identify CVR in RA patients, the most informative methods are mSCORE calculation and carotid intima-media thickness determination.
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11
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Błyszczuk P, Szekanecz Z. Pathogenesis of ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart diseases in rheumatoid arthritis. RMD Open 2021; 6:rmdopen-2019-001032. [PMID: 31958278 PMCID: PMC7046979 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2019-001032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by a chronic inflammatory condition of the joints, but the comorbidities of RA predominantly contribute to the reduced lifespan associated with this disease. Clinical data indicate that cardiovascular disease is the major comorbidity associated with mortality in RA. In this review, we aimed to describe the pathogenesis of heart failure in RA. First, we emphasised the fundamental differences between ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart diseases and referred to their relevance in excessive cardiovascular-dependent mortality in RA. Second, we highlighted aspects of asymptomatic changes in cardiac tissue and in coronary blood vessels that are commonly found in patients with diagnosed RA. Third, we focused on high-grade systemic inflammation as a key trigger of ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart diseases in RA, and described the implication of conventional and biologic antirheumatic medications on the development and progression of heart disease. In particular, we discussed the roles of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and anti-TNF-α therapies on the development and progression of ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart diseases in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Błyszczuk
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland .,Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Zoltan Szekanecz
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary
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12
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Figus FA, Piga M, Azzolin I, McConnell R, Iagnocco A. Rheumatoid arthritis: Extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102776. [PMID: 33609792 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although synovitis is the pathological hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many extra-articular manifestations (EMs) and comorbidities likely occur due to the complex, chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune features of RA. Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the most common cause of death in patients with RA. Compared to the general population, patients with RA have twice the risk of myocardial infarction and up to 50% increased CV mortality risk. Severe and prolonged disease activity, genetics, and inflammation (e.g. CRP, ACPA, cytokines, matrix-degrading enzymes) play important roles in CV disease and atheroscleroticdamage. The second major cause of death in patients with RA is respiratory disease, which occurs in 30-40% of patients. RA may affect the lung interstitium, airways, and pleurae, while pulmonary vascular involvement is less frequent. Central and peripheral nervous system involvement is usually due to small vessel vasculitis, joint damage, or drug toxicity. There is also evidence that microvascular cerebral damage caused by systemic inflammation is associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Some observational studies have hinted how Disease Modified Anti-Rheumatic Drugs and biologics could reduce the incidence of dementia. Primary gastrointestinal and renal involvements are rare and often relate to drug therapy. To minimize morbidity and mortality, physicians must manage RA disease activity (treat-to-target) and monitor risk factors and concomitant conditions (e.g. smoking cessation; weight regulation; monitoring blood pressure, lipids, thyroid hormone, folic acid and homocysteine; screening for depression, anxiety, atlantoaxial instability, and atherosclerosis). This article aims to provide an overview of the most prevalent and important EMs and comorbidities associated with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Assunta Figus
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, MFRU and Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Piga
- Rheumatology Unit, University Clinic and AOU of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Irene Azzolin
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, MFRU and Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Annamaria Iagnocco
- Academic Rheumatology Centre, MFRU and Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy.
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13
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Fragoulis GE, Panayotidis I, Nikiphorou E. Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mechanistic Links: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2020; 18:431-446. [PMID: 31258091 DOI: 10.2174/1570161117666190619143842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Inflammation, however, can spread beyond the joints to involve other organs. During the past few years, it has been well recognized that RA associates with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) compared with the general population. This seems to be due not only to the increased occurrence in RA of classical CVD risk factors and comorbidities like smoking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and others but also to the inflammatory burden that RA itself carries. This is not unexpected given the strong links between inflammation and atherosclerosis and CVD. It has been shown that inflammatory cytokines which are present in abundance in RA play a significant role in every step of plaque formation and rupture. Most of the therapeutic regimes used in RA treatment seem to offer significant benefits to that end. However, more studies are needed to clarify the effect of these drugs on various parameters, including the lipid profile. Of note, although pharmacological intervention significantly helps reduce the inflammatory burden and therefore the CVD risk, control of the so-called classical risk factors is equally important. Herein, we review the current evidence for the underlying pathogenic mechanisms linking inflammation with CVD in the context of RA and reflect on the possible impact of treatments used in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Fragoulis
- Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ismini Panayotidis
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical School, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Nikiphorou
- Department of Inflammation Biology, King's College London, London, UK and Department of Rheumatology, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Lai CH, Hsieh CY, Barnado A, Huang LC, Chen SC, Tsai LM, Shyr Y, Li CY. Outcomes of acute cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a population-based study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 59:1355-1363. [PMID: 31600392 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with RA and SLE have an excess cardiovascular risk. We aimed to evaluate outcomes of acute cardiovascular events in these patients. METHODS Using a nationwide database of Taiwan, we identified adult patients who experienced first-time acute myocardial infarction (n = 191 008), intracranial haemorrhage (n = 169 923) and ischaemic stroke (n = 486 890) over a 13-year period. Odds ratios (ORs) of in-hospital mortality and hazard ratios (HRs) of overall mortality and adverse outcomes during long-term follow-up in relation to RA and SLE were estimated with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS In each cohort, 748, 410 and 1419 patients had established RA; 256, 292 and 622 patients had SLE. Among acute myocardial infarction patients, RA and SLE were associated with in-hospital mortality (RA: OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.33, 1.95; SLE: OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.62, 3.28) and overall mortality. Additionally, RA (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.18, 1.38) and SLE (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.27, 1.69) increased the risk of major adverse cardiac events. After intracranial haemorrhage, patients with RA and SLE had higher risks of in-hospital mortality (RA: OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.26, 2.06; SLE: OR 3.00, 95% CI 2.33, 3.86) and overall mortality. After ischaemic stroke, RA and SLE increased in-hospital mortality (RA: OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15, 1.83; SLE: OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.57, 3.02), overall mortality and recurrent cerebrovascular events (RA: HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.002, 1.21; SLE: HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.14, 1.51), among which ischaemic stroke (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.19, 1.62) was more likely to recur in SLE patients. CONCLUSION Both RA and SLE are consistently associated with adverse outcomes following acute cardiovascular events, highlighting the necessity of integrated care for affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Han Lai
- Department of Surgery, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Cheng-Yang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Tainan Sin Lau Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - April Barnado
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Li-Ching Huang
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sheau-Chiann Chen
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Liang-Miin Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
| | - Yu Shyr
- Center for Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Svanteson M, Rollefstad S, Kløw NE, Hisdal J, Ikdahl E, Sexton J, Haig Y, Semb AG. Effects of long-term statin-treatment on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226479. [PMID: 31830762 PMCID: PMC6908439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The effect of statins over time on coronary atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the change in coronary plaque morphology and volume in long-term statin-treated patients with IJD. Methods Sixty-eight patients with IJD and carotid artery plaque(s) underwent coronary computed tomography angiography before and after a mean of 4.7 (range 4.0–6.0) years of statin treatment. The treatment target for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was ≤1.8 mmol/L. Changes in plaque volume (calcified, mixed/soft and total) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) from baseline to follow-up were assessed using the 17-segment American Heart Association-model. Results Median (IQR) increase in CAC after statin treatment was 38 (5–236) Agatston units (p<0.001). Calcified and total plaque volume increased with 5.6 (0.0–49.1) and 2.9 (0.0–23.5) mm3, respectively (p<0.001 for both). The median (IQR) change in soft/mixed plaque volume was -10 (-7.1–0.0), p = <0.001. Patients who had obtained the LDL-c treatment target at follow-up, experienced reduced progression of both CAC and total plaque volume compared to patients with LDL-c >1.8mmol/L (21 [2–143] vs. 69 [16–423], p = 0.006 and 0.65 [-1.0–13.9] vs. 13.0 [0.0–60.8] mm3, p = 0.019, respectively). Conclusions A progression of total atherosclerotic plaque volume in statin-treated patients with IJD was observed. However, soft/mixed plaque volume was reduced, suggesting an alteration in plaque composition. Patients with recommended LDL-c levels at follow-up had reduced atherosclerotic progression compared to patients with LDL-c levels above the treatment target, suggesting a beneficial effect of treatment to guideline-recommended lipid targets in IJD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Svanteson
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils-Einar Kløw
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonny Hisdal
- Department of Vascular Investigations, Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Ikdahl
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joseph Sexton
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ylva Haig
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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16
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Castañeda S, Vicente-Rabaneda EF, García-Castañeda N, Prieto-Peña D, Dessein PH, González-Gay MA. Unmet needs in the management of cardiovascular risk in inflammatory joint diseases. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2019; 16:23-36. [DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2019.1699058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Santos Castañeda
- Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, IIS-Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Cátedra UAM-ROCHE, EPID Future, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Diana Prieto-Peña
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Patrick H. Dessein
- Honorary Research Professor, School of Physiology and School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Miguel A. González-Gay
- Division and Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
- School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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17
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Yamamoto H, Nakajima T, Kawahara R, Nakabo S, Hashimoto M, Yamamoto W, Masuda I, Ito H, Mimori T, Fujii Y. Evaluation of risk factors for atherosclerosis using carotid ultrasonography in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Rheum Dis 2019; 22:1312-1318. [PMID: 31099177 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM Previous studies have reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population. A major cause of CVD is atherosclerosis, which can be evaluated with carotid ultrasonography (US). As far as we know, there have been no large-scale carotid artery US studies in Japanese patients with RA. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with RA. METHODS The study subjects underwent physical examinations, laboratory tests and US examination, and answered a questionnaire about their lifestyle. Carotid US was performed to measure the maximum carotid intima media thickness (max cIMT) and to detect plaques. RESULTS Atherosclerosis was detected in 238 patients (52%). Age, hypertension, and total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were positively related to max cIMT. Presence of plaques was related to age, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), smoking, and any biological treatment. DAS28-ESR correlated positively not with cIMT but with the development of plaques in our patients with low disease activity (average DAS28-ESR of 2.7). CONCLUSION Disease Activity Score of 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate was related to the size and number of plaques, whereas only traditional risk factors were related to max cIMT. This indicated that the inflammatory conditions of RA could affect the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. For the management of CVD in patients with RA, it may be important to control not only traditional risk factors, but also RA disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Yamamoto
- Department Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nakajima
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rie Kawahara
- Department Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shuichiro Nakabo
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Motomu Hashimoto
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Wataru Yamamoto
- Department of Advanced Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Izuru Masuda
- Medical Examination Center, Takeda Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromu Ito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsuneyo Mimori
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Fujii
- Department Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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18
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Hansen PR, Feineis M, Abdulla J. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have higher prevalence and burden of asymptomatic coronary artery disease assessed by coronary computed tomography: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Eur J Intern Med 2019; 62:72-79. [PMID: 30826172 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and studies with coronary computed tomography have suggested increased rates of asymptomatic CAD determined by the coronary calcium score (CCS) in these patients. To synthesize the evidence on this topic, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. METHODS A systematic review was performed of data comparing the prevalence and burden of asymptomatic CAD in RA and controls using CCS with or without coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). For the meta-analysis, pooled data provided the estimated risk ratio (RR) of CAD and weighted mean differences of CCS in patients with RA compared to controls. RESULTS The search revealed 1841 results of which 1083 were screened and 26 full text papers were evaluated. Eight studies were included with data on 788 patients with RA and 1641 controls. Patients with RA had significantly increased risk of CAD (RR = 1.26 [95% CI 1.04-1.52]; p = .021) and increased weighted mean differences for CCS (48.25 [95% CI 26.97-69.53]; p < .001) compared to controls. Limited evidence suggested that patients with RA had a higher prevalence of moderate-severe (CCS > 100) CAD and more multivessel CAD, and RA duration and disease activity were associated with higher CCS, RA disease activity was linked with presence of high risk (non-calcified or mixed) coronary plaques, and treatment with methotrexate was tied to absence of CAD, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In patients with RA, asymptomatic CAD is more prevalent, with higher mean CCS, more multivessel disease, and more high-risk plaques compared to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Riis Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Martin Feineis
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Jawdat Abdulla
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
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19
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Wah-Suarez MI, Galarza-Delgado DA, Azpiri-Lopez JR, Colunga-Pedraza IJ, Abundis-Marquez EE, Davila-Jimenez JA, Guillen-Gutierrez CY, Elizondo-Riojas G. Carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: A case-control study. Int J Rheum Dis 2018; 22:25-31. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin I. Wah-Suarez
- Internal Medicine Department; University Hospital Dr.Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Dionicio A. Galarza-Delgado
- Internal Medicine Department; Rheumatology Division; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Jose R. Azpiri-Lopez
- Internal Medicine Department; Cardiology Division; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Iris J. Colunga-Pedraza
- Internal Medicine Department; Rheumatology Division; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Estefania E. Abundis-Marquez
- Internal Medicine Department; Rheumatology Division; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Jose A. Davila-Jimenez
- Internal Medicine Department; Cardiology Division; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Cinthia Y. Guillen-Gutierrez
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
| | - Guillermo Elizondo-Riojas
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging; University Hospital Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez UANL; Monterrey Mexico
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20
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Targońska-Stępniak B, Piotrowski M, Zwolak R, Drelich-Zbroja A, Majdan M. Prospective assessment of cardiovascular risk parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2018; 16:18. [PMID: 30068353 PMCID: PMC6090938 DOI: 10.1186/s12947-018-0136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The study presents a prospective follow-up assessment of cardiovascular (CV) risk parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison with control subjects. Methods The study group consisted of 41 RA patients. The following parameters were assessed at subsequent visits [initial (T0), follow-up after 6 years (T6)]: traditional CV risk factors, carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), QTc duration, serum concentration of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). A comparative cIMT assessment was performed on 23 healthy controls of comparable age. Results The mean (SD) cIMT value in RA patients was significantly higher at T6 than at T0 [0.87 (0.21) vs 0.76 (0.15) mm, p < 0.001], the increase in patients with atherosclerotic plaques was noted. Patients with plaques were significantly older, had higher inflammatory parameters. The mean cIMT was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls at both T6, T0 visits. Certain traditional CV risk factors exacerbated during follow up. Unfavorable metabolic parameters and significantly higher cIMT were found in male patients than in female patients at T6. During follow-up, no significant differences in NT-proBNP, QTc were found. There were no significant relationships between cIMT, NT-proBNP, QTc and parameters of disease activity at T6. Conclusions During the 6-year course of established RA, significant exacerbation of atherosclerosis was found, revealed by higher cIMT. A careful monitoring should be applied to patients with atherosclerotic plaques and of male gender due to higher burden of CV risk. In long-standing disease, traditional CV risk factors seem to play a key role, beyond the inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Targońska-Stępniak
- Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Piotrowski
- Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Robert Zwolak
- Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Drelich-Zbroja
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Maria Majdan
- Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 8, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
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Popkova TV, Novikova DS. ACCORDING TO THE MATERIALS OF THE 2015/2016 NEW EUROPEAN LEAGUE AGAINST RHEUMATISM (EULAR) GUIDELINES FOR REDUCING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: GENERAL CHARACTERIZATION AND DISCUSSION PROBLEMS. RHEUMATOLOGY SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2018. [DOI: 10.14412/1995-4484-2018-272-279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
According to the materials of the 2015/2016 new European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) guidelines for reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with inflammatory arthritis. The authors identify three main principles of prevention of cardiovascular diseases in rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory arthritis and provide a general characterization of the guidelines, by reviewing the discussion problems.
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22
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Mackey RH, Kuller LH, Moreland LW. Update on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2018; 44:475-487. [PMID: 30001787 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2018.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is 1.5-fold higher in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), partly due to subclinical atherosclerosis that develops before the diagnosis of RA. Dyslipidemia in RA is better quantified by lipoproteins and apolipoproteins than by cholesterol levels. Current risk factors likely underestimate CVD risk by underestimating prior risk factor levels. Some of the 2-fold higher risk of heart failure and total mortality in RA may be due to myocardial disease caused by inflammation. Per recent recommendations, to reduce CVD risk in RA, control disease activity, reduce inflammation, and aggressively treat CVD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Mackey
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 542 Bellefield Professional Building, 130 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Lewis H Kuller
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Room 550, Bellefield Professional Building, 130 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Larry W Moreland
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3500 Terrace Street, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower South 711, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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23
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Legge A, Hanly JG. Managing premature atherosclerosis in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. CMAJ 2018; 190:E430-E439. [PMID: 29632038 PMCID: PMC5893318 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.170776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Legge
- Department of Medicine (Legge); Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology (Hanly), Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
| | - John G Hanly
- Department of Medicine (Legge); Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Pathology (Hanly), Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS
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24
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Mackey RH, Kuller LH, Moreland LW. Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases. Clin Geriatr Med 2018; 33:105-117. [PMID: 27886692 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2016.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests the greater than 1.5 increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is related to an accelerated burden of subclinical atherosclerosis that develops before the diagnosis of RA. Dyslipidemia in RA is better quantified by lipoproteins and apolipoproteins than cholesterol levels. Current risk factors likely underestimate CVD risk partly by underestimating prior risk factor levels. To reduce CVD risk in RA, control disease activity and aggressively treat CVD risk factors. Some of the two-fold higher risk of heart failure and total mortality in RA may be due to myocardial disease caused by inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Mackey
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 542 Bellefield Professional Building, 130 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Lewis H Kuller
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Room 550, Bellefield Professional Building, 130 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Larry W Moreland
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3500 Terrace Street, Thomas E. Starzl Biomedical Science Tower South 711, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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25
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Baragetti A, Ramirez GA, Magnoni M, Garlaschelli K, Grigore L, Berteotti M, Scotti I, Bozzolo E, Berti A, Camici PG, Catapano AL, Manfredi AA, Ammirati E, Norata GD. Disease trends over time and CD4 +CCR5 + T-cells expansion predict carotid atherosclerosis development in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2018; 28:53-63. [PMID: 29150407 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) present increased cardiovascular mortality compared to the general population. Few studies have assessed the long-term development and progression of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in SLE patients. Our aim was to investigate the association of clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity and classical cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) with carotid atherosclerosis development in SLE patients in a prospective 5-year study. METHODS AND RESULTS Clinical history and information on principal CVRFs were collected at baseline and after 5 years in 40 SLE patients (36 women, mean age 42 ± 9 years; 14.4 ± 7 years of mean disease duration) and 50 age-matched controls. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography was employed to quantify the atherosclerotic burden at baseline and at follow up. Clinimetrics were applied to assess SLE activity over time (SLEDAI). The association between basal circulating T cell subsets (including CD4+CCR5+; CD4+CXCR3+; CD4+HLADR+; CD4+CD45RA+RO-, CD4+CD45RO+RA- and their subsets) and atherosclerosis development was evaluated. During the 5-year follow up, 32% of SLE patients, developed carotid atherosclerosis compared to 4% of controls. Furthermore, considering SLEDAI changes over time, patients within the highest tertile were those with increased incidence of carotid atherosclerosis independently of CVRF. In addition, increased levels of CD4+CCR5+ T cells were independently associated with the development of carotid atherosclerosis in SLE patients. CONCLUSION Serial clinical evaluations over time, rather than a single point estimation of disease activity or CVRF burden, are required to define the risk of carotid atherosclerosis development in SLE patients. Specific T cell subsets are associated with long-term atherosclerotic progression and may further be of help in predicting vascular disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Baragetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis - Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - G A Ramirez
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Medicine and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - M Magnoni
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Italy
| | - K Garlaschelli
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis - Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - L Grigore
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis - Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy; IRCCS - Multimedica Hospital, Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - M Berteotti
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Italy
| | - I Scotti
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Italy
| | - E Bozzolo
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - A Berti
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Medicine and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - P G Camici
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Italy
| | - A L Catapano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; IRCCS - Multimedica Hospital, Sesto San Giovanni, Italy
| | - A A Manfredi
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Unit of Medicine and Clinical Immunology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - E Ammirati
- Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - G D Norata
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis - Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy; School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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26
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Ambrosino P, Lupoli R, Di Minno A, Tasso M, Peluso R, Di Minno MND. Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Thromb Haemost 2017; 113:916-30. [DOI: 10.1160/th14-11-0921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
SummaryWe performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of literature studies evaluating the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) and on the prevalence of carotid plaques. Studies evaluating the relationship between RA and markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk (CCA-IMT and prevalence of carotid plaques) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. A total of 59 studies (4,317 RA patients and 3,606 controls) were included in the final analysis, 51 studies with data on CCA-IMT (52 data-sets on 3,600 RA patients and 3,020 controls) and 35 studies reporting on the prevalence of carotid plaques (2,859 RA patients and 2,303 controls). As compared to controls, RA patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (mean difference [MD]: 0.10 mm; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.07, 0.12; p < 0.00001), and an increased prevalence of carotid plaques (odds ratio [OR]: 3.61; 95 %CI: 2.65, 4.93; p< 0.00001). Interestingly, when analysing studies on early RA, the difference in CCAIMT among RA patients and controls was even higher (MD: 0.21 mm; 95 %CI: 0.06, 0.35; p=0.006), and difference in the prevalence of carotid plaques was entirely confirmed (OR: 3.57; 95 %CI: 1.69, 7.51; p=0.0008). Meta-regression models showed that male gender and a more severe inflammatory status [as expressed by disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] significantly impacted on CCA-IMT. In conclusion, RA appears significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings can be useful to plan adequate prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches.
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27
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Svanteson M, Rollefstad S, Kløw NE, Hisdal J, Ikdahl E, Semb AG, Haig Y. Associations between coronary and carotid artery atherosclerosis in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. RMD Open 2017; 3:e000544. [PMID: 28955501 PMCID: PMC5604717 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2017-000544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Low association between cardiac symptoms and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) demands for objective markers to improve cardiovascular risk stratification. Our main aim was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of CAD in patients with IJD with carotid artery plaques. Furthermore, we aimed to assess associations of carotid ultrasonographic findings and coronary plaques. METHODS Eighty-six patients (61% female) with IJD (55 with rheumatoid arthritis, 21 with ankylosing spondylitis and 10 with psoriatic arthritis) and carotid artery plaque were referred to coronary CT angiography (CCTA). CAD was evaluated using the modified 17-segment American Heart Association model. Calcium score, plaque composition, segment involvement score and segment stenosis score were assessed and correlated to the carotid artery plaques and cardiovascular disease risk factors in logistic and linear regression analyses. Risk prediction models were tested with various cut-off values for associating variables. RESULTS Fifty-five patients (66%) had CAD assessed by CCTA and 36 (43%) of these had coronary plaques defined as either mixed or soft. Eleven patients (13%) had obstructive CAD. The best risk prediction model (area under the curve: 0.832, 95% CI 0.730 to 0.935) included the combination of variables with cut-off values: age ≥55 years (OR: 12.18, 95% CI 2.80 to 53.05), the carotid-intima media thickness ≥0.7 mm (OR: 4.08, 95% CI 1.20 to 13.89) and carotid plaque height ≥1.5 mm (OR: 8.96, 95% CI 1.68 to 47.91), p<0.05. CONCLUSION Presence of carotid plaque is alone not sufficient to identify patients at risk for CAD, and a combination of ultrasonographic measurements may be useful in risk stratification of patients with IJD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01389388, Results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Svanteson
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Department of Rheumatology, Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils Einar Kløw
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jonny Hisdal
- Department of Vascular Investigations, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Ikdahl
- Department of Rheumatology, Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Department of Rheumatology, Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ylva Haig
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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28
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Crowson CS, Rollefstad S, Ikdahl E, Kitas GD, van Riel PLCM, Gabriel SE, Matteson EL, Kvien TK, Douglas K, Sandoo A, Arts E, Wållberg-Jonsson S, Innala L, Karpouzas G, Dessein PH, Tsang L, El-Gabalawy H, Hitchon C, Ramos VP, Yáñez IC, Sfikakis PP, Zampeli E, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Corrales A, Laar MVD, Vonkeman HE, Meek I, Semb AG. Impact of risk factors associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 77:48-54. [PMID: 28877868 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an excess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the impact of CVD risk factors, including potential sex differences, and RA-specific variables on CVD outcome in a large, international cohort of patients with RA. METHODS In 13 rheumatology centres, data on CVD risk factors and RA characteristics were collected at baseline. CVD outcomes (myocardial infarction, angina, revascularisation, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and CVD death) were collected using standardised definitions. RESULTS 5638 patients with RA and no prior CVD were included (mean age: 55.3 (SD: 14.0) years, 76% women). During mean follow-up of 5.8 (SD: 4.4) years, 148 men and 241 women developed a CVD event (10-year cumulative incidence 20.9% and 11.1%, respectively). Men had a higher burden of CVD risk factors, including increased blood pressure, higher total cholesterol and smoking prevalence than women (all p<0.001). Among the traditional CVD risk factors, smoking and hypertension had the highest population attributable risk (PAR) overall and among both sexes, followed by total cholesterol. The PAR for Disease Activity Score and for seropositivity were comparable in magnitude to the PAR for lipids. A total of 70% of CVD events were attributable to all CVD risk factors and RA characteristics combined (separately 49% CVD risk factors and 30% RA characteristics). CONCLUSIONS In a large, international cohort of patients with RA, 30% of CVD events were attributable to RA characteristics. This finding indicates that RA characteristics play an important role in efforts to reduce CVD risk among patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia S Crowson
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eirik Ikdahl
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - George D Kitas
- Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, West Midlands, UK
| | - Piet L C M van Riel
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sherine E Gabriel
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Eric L Matteson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karen Douglas
- Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, West Midlands, UK
| | - Aamer Sandoo
- Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, West Midlands, UK.,School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, UK
| | - Elke Arts
- Department of Rheumatic Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Solveig Wållberg-Jonsson
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Rheumatology, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lena Innala
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine/Rheumatology, University of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden
| | - George Karpouzas
- Division of Rheumatology, Harbor UCLA Medical Center RHU, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Patrick H Dessein
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Rheumatology Division, UniversitairZiekenhuis and Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Linda Tsang
- Rheumatology Division, UniversitairZiekenhuis and Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Hani El-Gabalawy
- Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Carol Hitchon
- Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Virginia Pascual Ramos
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Irazú Contreras Yáñez
- Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propedeutic Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Zampeli
- First Department of Propedeutic Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Miguel A Gonzalez-Gay
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, Santander (Cantabria), Spain
| | - Alfonso Corrales
- Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, Santander (Cantabria), Spain
| | - Mart van de Laar
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Harald E Vonkeman
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Inger Meek
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Hospital Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Arts EE, Fransen J, Den Broeder AA, van Riel PLCM, Popa CD. Low disease activity (DAS28≤3.2) reduces the risk of first cardiovascular event in rheumatoid arthritis: a time-dependent Cox regression analysis in a large cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 76:1693-1699. [PMID: 28606965 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-210997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic inflammation appears to contribute to the excess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different levels of disease activity over time, particularly low disease activity and remission, on CVD risk in patients with RA. METHODS Data from the Nijmegen early RA inception cohort were used. The primary outcome was first CVD events within the first 10 years of follow-up. Cut points of the DAS28 for remission (<2.6) and low (≤3.2), moderate (3.2-5.1) and high (>5.1) disease activity were used. The effect of disease activity on CVD risk was analysed using Cox-proportional hazards regression with DAS28 as a time-dependent covariate and also conventionally with time-averaged DAS28 as the primary dependent variable. RESULTS Low DAS28 (≤3.2) was significantly associated with a reduced risk of CVD (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.99) compared with DAS28 >3.2, both when included as a time-dependent covariate and as time-averaged DAS28 ≤3.2 (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.81). Remission had a modest, non-significant protective effect against CVD (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.07). CONCLUSION Results of this study suggest that low disease activity is sufficient to achieve a protective effect against CVD in RA. Apparently, remission defined as DAS28 <2.6 has no additional protective effect against CVD compared with low disease activity. Our results strengthen the use of tight control strategies in daily clinical practice to achieve low stable disease activity or remission in patients with RA as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Ea Arts
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Fransen
- Department of Rheumatology, Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Piet L C M van Riel
- Department of Rheumatology, Bernhoven, Uden, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcare, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Calin D Popa
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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30
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Lauper K, Gabay C. Cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Immunopathol 2017; 39:447-459. [PMID: 28455580 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-017-0632-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Substantial epidemiologic data have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Traditional CV risk factors may partly contribute to CV disease in RA; however, current evidence underlines the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and amplification of CV risk. Interplays between inflammation and lipid metabolism in the development of atherosclerosis have been established by recent scientific advances. Atherosclerosis is currently viewed as an inflammatory disease, and modifications of lipoproteins during inflammation accelerate atherogenesis. The role of inflammation in the increased CV risk in RA has been further demonstrated by the CV protective effect of methotrexate and TNF antagonists, particularly in patients responding to these treatments. The management of CV risk in RA should include the use of effective disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs to control disease activity and the treatment of traditional CV risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Lauper
- Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 26 Avenue Beau-Séjour, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cem Gabay
- Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals of Geneva, 26 Avenue Beau-Séjour, 1206, Geneva, Switzerland.
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31
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Løgstrup BB, Masic D, Laurbjerg TB, Blegvad J, Herly M, Kristensen LD, Urbonaviciene G, Hedemann-Nielsen A, Ellingsen T. Left ventricular function at two-year follow-up in treatment-naive rheumatoid arthritis patients is associated with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody status: a cohort study. Scand J Rheumatol 2017; 46:432-440. [PMID: 28121216 DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2016.1249941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the role of autoimmunity, especially anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) level, and the time-course of left ventricular (LV) function is unknown. The objective was to assess LV function and the amount of coronary calcium in relation to anti-CCP levels in a cohort of treatment-naive RA patients, and to assess changes in these parameters during a 2 year follow-up period. METHOD Sixty-six steroid- and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug-naive RA patients were treated with methotrexate according to the Danish national guidelines. We assessed LV function by conventional echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography. We estimated the amount and progression of coronary calcium by coronary computed tomography. Patients were examined at the time of diagnosis and after 2 years. RESULTS Patients with elevated anti-CCP at baseline and after 2 years, compared to those with non-persistently elevated anti-CCP, had significantly less improvement in S´ (1 ± 1.4 cm/s vs 0.2 ± 0.9 cm/s; p = 0.04) and a worsening in global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) (0.6 ± 1.8% vs -1 ± 2.8%; p = 0.04). There was a significant correlation between ΔGLS over 2 years and anti-CCP at 2 year follow-up (r = 0.36; p = 0.006). We observed a small progression of coronary calcium score during the 2 year follow-up period. No differences in progression were found between patients with high anti-CCP titres at baseline and 2 year follow-up (n = 12) and patients with normal/low anti-CCP titres (n = 32) (23.8 ± 40.3 vs 22.6 ± 68.9; p = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS Deformation analysis by speckle-tracking echocardiography is a valuable tool to detect early development of myocardial dysfunction despite normal ejection fraction in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- B B Løgstrup
- a Department of Cardiology , Aarhus University Hospital Skejby , Aarhus , Denmark.,b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - D Masic
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - T B Laurbjerg
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - J Blegvad
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - M Herly
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - L D Kristensen
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | - G Urbonaviciene
- b Diagnostic Centre , Silkeborg Regional Hospital , Silkeborg , Denmark
| | | | - T Ellingsen
- c The Danish National Registry DANBIO , Rigshospitalet Glostrup , Glostrup , Denmark.,d Department of Rheumatology , Odense University Hospital , Odense , Denmark
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Gunter S, Solomon A, Tsang L, Woodiwiss AJ, Robinson C, Millen AM, Norton GR, Dessein PH. Apelin concentrations are associated with altered atherosclerotic plaque stability mediator levels and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Atherosclerosis 2017; 256:75-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Agca R, Heslinga SC, Rollefstad S, Heslinga M, McInnes IB, Peters MJL, Kvien TK, Dougados M, Radner H, Atzeni F, Primdahl J, Södergren A, Wallberg Jonsson S, van Rompay J, Zabalan C, Pedersen TR, Jacobsson L, de Vlam K, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Semb AG, Kitas GD, Smulders YM, Szekanecz Z, Sattar N, Symmons DPM, Nurmohamed MT. EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 76:17-28. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 683] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint disorders (IJD) have increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with the general population. In 2009, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) taskforce recommended screening, identification of CVD risk factors and CVD risk management largely based on expert opinion. In view of substantial new evidence, an update was conducted with the aim of producing CVD risk management recommendations for patients with IJD that now incorporates an increasing evidence base. A multidisciplinary steering committee (representing 13 European countries) comprised 26 members including patient representatives, rheumatologists, cardiologists, internists, epidemiologists, a health professional and fellows. Systematic literature searches were performed and evidence was categorised according to standard guidelines. The evidence was discussed and summarised by the experts in the course of a consensus finding and voting process. Three overarching principles were defined. First, there is a higher risk for CVD in patients with RA, and this may also apply to ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Second, the rheumatologist is responsible for CVD risk management in patients with IJD. Third, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids should be in accordance with treatment-specific recommendations from EULAR and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society. Ten recommendations were defined, of which one is new and six were changed compared with the 2009 recommendations. Each designated an appropriate evidence support level. The present update extends on the evidence that CVD risk in the whole spectrum of IJD is increased. This underscores the need for CVD risk management in these patients. These recommendations are defined to provide assistance in CVD risk management in IJD, based on expert opinion and scientific evidence.
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Cardiovascular disease in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2016; 30:851-869. [DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Pope JE, Nevskaya T, Barra L, Parraga G. Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Predictors of Plaque Occurrence and Progression Over 24 Weeks. Open Rheumatol J 2016; 10:49-59. [PMID: 27857821 PMCID: PMC5093864 DOI: 10.2174/1874312901610010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: This study evaluated the prevalence and progression of subclinical carotid artery atherosclerosis in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Carotid arteries of RA patients were scanned using 3D ultrasound at baseline and 24 weeks for total plaque area, vessel wall volume, and intima-media thickness (IMT), as well as arterial stiffness measured using pulse wave velocity. Variables related to inflammation, lipids and cardiovascular (CV) risk were assessed for associations with plaque progression. Of 195 screened patients, 31 met inclusion criteria (66 Swollen joint count (SJC) plus 68 Tender joint count (TJC)≥8 OR SJC plus TJC≥4 with elevated acute phase reactants) and were enrolled (27 female; mean age 59.3±9.8years). Patients using lipid lowering drugs and uncontrolled comorbidities were excluded. Results: Atherosclerotic plaque occurred in 35% and arterial wall hypertrophy (IMT≥0.6mm) in 86% of patients. Most (68%) had an abnormal lipid profile characterized by reduced HDL and/or increased total cholesterol/HDL index, which was adversely affected by disease activity. Stepwise binary logistic regression analysis showed that Framingham risk score (OR=1.155, 95%CI:1.002-1.332, p=0.046) and ESR (OR=1.148, 95%CI:1.015-1.299, p=0.028) predicted plaque burden most strongly. Plaque progression was significantly associated with baseline higher hsCRP, ESR, and heavy smoking, but only hsCRP predicted plaque growth in multivariate regression analysis (p=0.004); and hsCRP was related to higher disease activity (r=0.443, p=0.016), LDL (r=0.544, p=0.007), and smoking (r=0.384, p=0.04). Conclusion: RA-related inflammation contributed to augmented CV burden in RA and might mediate its effect on atherosclerosis through hsCRP and modulation of the traditional CV risk factors, such as dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Pope
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Hospital 268 Grosvenor Street London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Tatiana Nevskaya
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Hospital 268 Grosvenor Street London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Lillian Barra
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Rheumatology, St. Joseph's Hospital 268 Grosvenor Street London, Ontario, N6A 4V2, Canada
| | - Grace Parraga
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Robarts Research Institute,1151 Richmond St. N., London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada
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Coronary Artery Calcification Is Related to Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:1261582. [PMID: 27648442 PMCID: PMC5018313 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1261582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective. A long-term follow-up of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to evaluate factors related to coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods. All 22 eligible patients (4 males/18 females, mean age 65 years, and RA-duration 30-36 years) from the original (baseline; n = 39) study of atherosclerosis were included. Inflammation, cardiovascular risk factors, and biomarkers were measured at baseline. At follow-up 13 years later, CAC was assessed by computed tomography (CT) and the grade of inflammation was measured. Multivariate analysis of differences between patients with low (0-10) and high CAC (>10) was done by orthogonal projection to latent structures (OPLS). Results. Ten patients had CAC 0-10 and 12 had >10 (range 18-1700). Patients with high CAC had significantly higher ESR (24.3 versus 9.9 mm/h) and swollen joint count (2 versus 0). The OPLS models discriminated between patients having high or low CAC. With only baseline variables, the sensitivity was 73% and the specificity 82%. The model that also included inflammatory variables from follow-up had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 85%. Exclusion of baseline intima media thickness and plaque from the latter model modestly reduced the accuracy (sensitivity 80% and specificity 83%). Conclusions. CAC is related to inflammation in patients with RA.
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Mason JC. Cytoprotective pathways in the vascular endothelium. Do they represent a viable therapeutic target? Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 86:41-52. [PMID: 27520362 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium is a critical interface, which separates the organs from the blood and its contents. The endothelium has a wide variety of functions and maintenance of endothelial homeostasis is a multi-dimensional active process, disruption of which has potentially deleterious consequences if not reversed. Vascular injury predisposes to endothelial apoptosis, dysfunction and development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an end-point, a central feature of which is increased ROS generation, a reduction in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increased nitric oxide consumption. A dysfunctional endothelium is a common feature of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes mellitus and chronic renal impairment. The endothelium is endowed with a variety of constitutive and inducible mechanisms that act to minimise injury and facilitate repair. Endothelial cytoprotection can be enhanced by exogenous factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, prostacyclin and laminar shear stress. Target genes include endothelial nitric oxide synthase, heme oxygenase-1, A20 and anti-apoptotic members of the B cell lymphoma protein-2 family. In light of the importance of endothelial function, and the link between its disruption and the risk of atherothrombosis, interest has focused on therapeutic conditioning and reversal of endothelial dysfunction. A detailed understanding of cytoprotective signalling pathways, their regulation and target genes is now required to identify novel therapeutic targets. The ultimate aim is to add vasculoprotection to current therapeutic strategies for systemic inflammatory diseases, in an attempt to reduce vascular injury and prevent or retard atherogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin C Mason
- Vascular Science, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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Semb AG, Ikdahl E, Hisdal J, Olsen IC, Rollefstad S. Exploring cardiovascular disease risk evaluation in patients with inflammatory joint diseases. Int J Cardiol 2016; 223:331-336. [PMID: 27543704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.08.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk calculators developed for the general population have been shown to inaccurately predict CVD events in patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD). European guidelines for CVD prevention recognize the presence of carotid plaques (CP) as a very high CVD risk factor, equivalent of coronary artery disease. Patients with IJD have a high prevalence of CP. We evaluated if CP resulted in reclassification of patients with IJD into a more appropriate CVD risk class and recommended lipid lowering treatment. METHODS CVD risk evaluation was performed in patients with IJD using SCORE and ACC/AHA risk calculators to predict CVD events. RESULTS Of the 335 IJD patients evaluated (including rheumatoid arthritis n=201, ankylosing spondylitis n=85 and psoriatic arthritis n=49), 183 and 159 IJD patients had a calculated CVD risk by SCORE and ACC/AHA <5%, indicating no need of lipid lowering treatment (LLT). However, of patients with low to moderate risk calculated by SCORE and ACC/AHA, 67 (36.6%) and 48 (30.2%) had CP and should according to guidelines receive intensive LLT. For patients with high risk, in the LLT considered group, 54.9% and 58.1% were reclassified to correct treatment when adding information on the presence of CP. Our results reveal a considerable reclassification into correct CVD risk category when adding CP in female patients. CONCLUSION The high frequency of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in patients with IJD has a notable impact on CVD risk stratification. Identification of CP will reclassify patients into recommended CVD preventive treatment group, which may be clinically important.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - E Ikdahl
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Hisdal
- Department of Vascular Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Aker, Oslo, Norway
| | - I C Olsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Rollefstad
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Ikdahl E, Rollefstad S, Wibetoe G, Olsen IC, Berg IJ, Hisdal J, Uhlig T, Haugeberg G, Kvien TK, Provan SA, Semb AG. Predictive Value of Arterial Stiffness and Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis for Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Rheumatol 2016; 43:1622-30. [DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.160053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective.We evaluated the predictive value of these vascular biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and carotid plaques (CP). They are often used as risk markers for CVD.Methods.In 2007, 138 patients with RA underwent clinical examination, laboratory tests, blood pressure testing, and vascular biomarker measurements. Occurrence of CVD events was recorded in 2013. Predictive values were assessed in Kaplan-Meier plots, log-rank, and crude and adjusted Cox proportional hazard (PH) regression analyses.Results.Baseline median age and disease duration was 59.0 years and 17.0 years, respectively, and 76.1% were women. CVD events occurred in 10 patients (7.2%) during a mean followup of 5.4 years. Compared with patients with low aPWV, AIx, cIMT, and without CP, patients with high aPWV (p < 0.001), high AIx (p = 0.04), high cIMT (p = 0.01), and CP (p < 0.005) at baseline experienced more CVD events. In crude Cox PH regression analyses, aPWV (p < 0.001), cIMT (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.01), statin (p = 0.01), and corticosteroid use (p = 0.01) were predictive of CVD events, while AIx was nonsignificant (p = 0.19). The Cox PH regression estimates for vascular biomarkers were not significantly altered when adjusting individually for demographic variables, traditional CVD risk factors, RA disease-related variables, or medication. All patients who developed CVD had CP at baseline.Conclusion.CP, aPWV, and cIMT were predictive of CVD events in this cohort of patients with RA. Future studies are warranted to examine the additive value of arterial stiffness and carotid atherosclerosis markers in CVD risk algorithms. Regional Ethical Committee approval numbers 2009/1582 and 2009/1583.
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Midtbø H, Semb AG, Matre K, Kvien TK, Gerdts E. Disease activity is associated with reduced left ventricular systolic myocardial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 76:371-376. [PMID: 27269296 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disease activity has emerged as a new, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We tested if disease activity in RA was associated with lower left ventricular (LV) systolic function independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS Echocardiographic assessment was performed in 78 patients with RA having low, moderate or high disease activity (Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) >3.3), 41 patients in remission (SDAI ≤3.3) and 46 controls, all without known cardiac disease. LV systolic function was assessed by biplane Simpson ejection fraction, stress-corrected midwall shortening (scMWS) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS Patients with active RA had higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes compared with patients in remission and controls (both p<0.05). LV ejection fraction (endocardial function) was normal in all three groups, while mean scMWS and GLS (myocardial function) were reduced in patients with RA with active disease compared with patients with RA in remission (95±18% vs 105±17% and -18.9±3.1% vs -20.6±3.5%, respectively, both p<0.01). Patients with RA in remission had similar scMWS and GLS as the controls. In multivariable analyses, having active RA was associated with lower GLS (β=0.21) and scMWS (β=-0.22, both p<0.05), both reflecting lower LV systolic myocardial function, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and LV ejection fraction. Classification of RA disease activity by other disease activity composite scores yielded similar results. CONCLUSIONS Active RA is associated with lower LV systolic myocardial function despite normal ejection fraction and independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Midtbø
- Department of Heart Disease, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Matre
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Gerdts
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Midtbø H, Gerdts E, Kvien TK, Olsen IC, Lønnebakken MT, Davidsen ES, Rollefstad S, Semb AG. The association of hypertension with asymptomatic cardiovascular organ damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Blood Press 2016; 25:298-304. [PMID: 27123584 DOI: 10.3109/08037051.2016.1172867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of hypertension with asymptomatic cardiovascular organ damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been little studied by echocardiography. METHODS Echocardiography was done in 134 RA patients and 102 healthy controls. Left ventricular (LV) geometry was considered abnormal if LV mass index or relative wall thickness was increased. LV diastolic dysfunction was considered present if septal early diastolic tissue velocity <8 cm/s. Systemic arterial compliance (SAC) was assessed from stroke volume index/pulse pressure ratio. RESULTS The hypertensive RA patients (n = 72) had higher inflammatory activity, older age and more diabetes than the normotensive RA patients (n = 62) (all p < 0.05). Rates of abnormal LV geometry, LV diastolic dysfunction and lower SAC were higher among the hypertensive RA patients (p < 0.05), but similar between normotensive RA patients and controls. Hypertension was associated with a 3-fold higher prevalence both for abnormal LV geometry (odds ratio 2.89 [95% confidence interval 1.09-7.63], p = 0.03) and for diastolic LV dysfunction (odds ratio 2.92 [95% confidence interval 1.14-7.46], p = 0.03) as well as lower SAC (β = 0.31, p = 0.001) independent of age, gender, diabetes and inflammatory activity measured by erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CONCLUSION The presence of asymptomatic cardiovascular organ damage in RA patients is closely associated with hypertension independent of inflammatory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Midtbø
- a Department of Heart Disease , Haukeland University Hospital , Bergen , Norway ;,b Department of Clinical Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Eva Gerdts
- b Department of Clinical Science , University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway
| | - Tore K Kvien
- c Department of Rheumatology , Diakonhjemmet Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Inge C Olsen
- c Department of Rheumatology , Diakonhjemmet Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | | | | | - Silvia Rollefstad
- c Department of Rheumatology , Diakonhjemmet Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- c Department of Rheumatology , Diakonhjemmet Hospital , Oslo , Norway
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Lindhardsen J, Kristensen SL, Ahlehoff O. Management of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2016; 16:1-8. [PMID: 26293235 DOI: 10.1007/s40256-015-0141-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
An increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been observed in a range of chronic inflammatory diseases (CID), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The increased risk of CVDs and reduced life expectancy in these conditions has stimulated considerable research and started an ongoing discussion on the need for a multidisciplinary approach and dedicated guidelines on CVD prevention in these patients. In addition, the possibility of inhibiting inflammation as a means to preventing CVD in these patients has gained considerable interest in recent years. We briefly summarize the current level of evidence of the association between CIDs and CVD and cardiovascular risk management recommendations. Perspectives of ongoing and planned trials are discussed in consideration of potential ways to improve primary and secondary CVD prevention in patients with CID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Lindhardsen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Slagelse, 4200, Slagelse, Denmark
| | - Søren Lund Kristensen
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Ole Ahlehoff
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 7, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Shen J, Shang Q, Tam LS. Targeting inflammation in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Transl Res 2016; 167:138-51. [PMID: 26051628 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients with inflammatory arthritis have increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared with the general population. Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness are also common in these patients, which may serve as surrogate end points for cardiovascular (CV) events in clinical trials. Although exact mechanisms are still unclear, persistent systemic inflammation in patients with inflammatory arthritis may contribute to the development of CVD. Dysregulated innate immunity pathways in these patients may also play a role in accelerating atherosclerosis. During the last decade, effective suppression of inflammation by biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs has improved the disease outcome dramatically in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Growing evidence suggests that antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy may prevent CVD in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nonetheless, data on non-TNF biologics are limited. Whether anti-TNF therapy may prevent CVD in patients with spondyloarthritis also remained unclear. In this review, we summarized the effect of both anti-TNF and non-TNF biologics on the CV system, including traditional CVD risk factors, endothelial function, arterial stiffness, subclinical atherosclerosis, and clinical CVD in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayun Shen
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qing Shang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lai-Shan Tam
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Golden JB, Wang Y, Fritz Y, Diaconu D, Zhang X, Debanne SM, Simon DI, McCormick TS, Ward NL. Chronic, not acute, skin-specific inflammation promotes thrombosis in psoriasis murine models. J Transl Med 2015; 13:382. [PMID: 26675482 PMCID: PMC4681031 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0738-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Psoriasis patients exhibit an increased risk of atherothrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Clinical evidence suggests that psoriasis patients with early onset and more severe disease have the highest risk for these co-morbidities, perhaps due to the extent of body surface involvement, subsequent levels of systemic inflammation, or chronicity of disease. We sought to determine whether acute or chronic skin-specific inflammation was sufficient to promote thrombosis. Methods We used two experimental mouse models of skin-specific inflammation generated in either an acute (topical Aldara application onto wild-type C57Bl/6 mice for 5 days) or chronic (a genetically engineered K5-IL-17C mouse model of psoriasiform skin inflammation) manner. Arterial thrombosis was induced using carotid artery photochemical injury (Rose Bengal-green light laser) and carotid artery diameters were measured post-clot formation. We also examined measures of clot formation including prothrombin (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Skin inflammation was examined histologically and we profiled plasma-derived lipids. The number of skin-draining lymph-node (SDLN) and splenic derived CD11b+Ly6Chigh pro-inflammatory monocytes and CD11b+Ly6G+ neutrophils was quantified using multi-color flow cytometry. Results Mice treated with topical Aldara for 5 days had similar carotid artery thrombotic occlusion times to mice treated with vehicle cream (32.2 ± 3.0 vs. 31.4 ± 2.5 min, p = 0.97); in contrast, K5-IL-17C mice had accelerated occlusion times compared to littermate controls (15.7 ± 2.1 vs. 26.5 ± 3.5 min, p < 0.01) while carotid artery diameters were similar between all mice. Acanthosis, a surrogate measure of inflammation, was increased in both Aldara-treated and K5-IL-17C mice compared to their respective controls. Monocytosis, defined as elevated SDLN and/or splenic CD11b+Ly6Chigh cells, was significantly increased in both Aldara-treated (SDLN: 3.8-fold, p = 0.02; spleen: 2.0-fold, p < 0.01) and K5-IL-17C (SDLN: 3.4-fold, p = 0.02; spleen: 3.5-fold, p < 0.01) animals compared to controls while neutrophilia, defined as elevated SDLN and/or splenic CD11b+Ly6G+ cells, was significantly increased in only the chronic K5-IL-17C model (SDLN: 11.6-fold, p = 0.02; spleen: 11.3-fold, p < 0.01). Plasma-derived lipid levels, PT and aPTT times showed no difference between the Aldara-treated mice or the K5-IL-17C mice and their respective controls. Conclusions Chronic, but not acute, skin-specific inflammation was associated with faster arterial thrombotic occlusion. Increased numbers of splenic and SDLN monocytes were observed in both acute and chronic skin-specific inflammation, however, increased splenic and SDLN neutrophils were observed only in the chronic skin-specific inflammation model. Understanding the cellular response to skin-specific inflammation may provide insights into the cellular participants mediating the pathophysiology of major adverse cardiovascular events associated with psoriasis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0738-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackelyn B Golden
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Yunmei Wang
- Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Yi Fritz
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Doina Diaconu
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
| | - Xiufen Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Sara M Debanne
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Daniel I Simon
- Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. .,The Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Thomas S McCormick
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,The Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Nicole L Ward
- Department of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. .,The Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a systemic condition that eventually evolves into vulnerable plaques and cardiovascular events. Pathology studies reveal that rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques have a distinct morphology, namely a thin, inflamed fibrous cap covering a large lipidic and necrotic core. With the fast development of imaging techniques in the last decades, detecting vulnerable plaques thereby identifying individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events has become of major interest. Yet, in current clinical practice, there is no routine use of any vascular imaging modality to assess plaque characteristics as each unique technique has its pros and cons. This review describes the techniques that may evolve into screening tool for the detection of the vulnerable plaque. Finally, it seems that plaque morphology has been changing in the last decades leading to a higher prevalence of 'stable' atherosclerotic plaques, possibly due to the implementation of primary prevention strategies or other approaches. Therefore, the nomenclature of vulnerable plaque lesions should be very carefully defined in all studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Gonçalves
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Sciences Malmö, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - H den Ruijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology and Research Laboratory Clinical Chemistry (LKCH), UMCU, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M Nahrendorf
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Simches Research Building, 185Cambridge St., Boston, MA02114, USA
| | - G Pasterkamp
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology and Research Laboratory Clinical Chemistry (LKCH), UMCU, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Ikdahl E, Hisdal J, Rollefstad S, Olsen IC, Kvien TK, Pedersen TR, Semb AG. Rosuvastatin improves endothelial function in patients with inflammatory joint diseases, longitudinal associations with atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis: results from the RORA-AS statin intervention study. Arthritis Res Ther 2015; 17:279. [PMID: 26445924 PMCID: PMC4597440 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-015-0795-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endothelial dysfunction is an early step in the atherosclerotic process and can be quantified by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Our aim was to investigate the effect of long-term rosuvastatin therapy on endothelial function in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) with established atherosclerosis. Furthermore, to evaluate correlations between change in FMD (ΔFMD) and change in carotid plaque (CP) height, arterial stiffness [aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and augmentation index (AIx)], lipids, disease activity and inflammation. METHODS Eighty-five statin-naïve patients with IJD and ultrasound-verified CP (rheumatoid arthritis: n = 53, ankylosing spondylitis: n = 24, psoriatic arthritis: n = 8) received rosuvastatin treatment for 18 months. Paired-samples t tests were used to assess ΔFMD from baseline to study end. Linear regression models were applied to evaluate correlations between ∆FMD and cardiovascular risk factors, rheumatic disease variables and medication. RESULTS The mean ± SD FMD was significantly improved from 7.10 ± 3.14 % at baseline to 8.70 ± 2.98 % at study end (p < 0.001). Improvement in AIx (p < 0.05) and CP height reduction (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with ΔFMD (dependent variable). CONCLUSIONS Long-term lipid lowering with rosuvastatin improved endothelial function in IJD patients with established atherosclerotic disease. Reduced arterial stiffness and CP regression were longitudinally correlated with the improvement in endothelial function measured by FMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01389388 . Registered 16 April 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik Ikdahl
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jonny Hisdal
- Section of Vascular Investigations, Oslo University Hospital Aker, P.O. Box 0424, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Silvia Rollefstad
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Inge C Olsen
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tore K Kvien
- Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Terje R Pedersen
- Centre of Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anne Grete Semb
- Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.
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Rollefstad S, Ikdahl E, Hisdal J, Olsen IC, Holme I, Hammer HB, Smerud KT, Kitas GD, Pedersen TR, Kvien TK, Semb AG. Rosuvastatin-Induced Carotid Plaque Regression in Patients With Inflammatory Joint Diseases: The Rosuvastatin in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Other Inflammatory Joint Diseases Study. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:1718-28. [PMID: 25778850 DOI: 10.1002/art.39114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and carotid artery plaques have an increased risk of acute coronary syndromes. Statin treatment with the goal of achieving a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of ≤1.8 mmoles/liter (≤70 mg/dl) is recommended for individuals in the general population who have carotid plaques. The aim of the ROsuvastatin in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and other inflammatory joint diseases (RORA-AS) study was to evaluate the effect of 18 months of intensive lipid-lowering treatment with rosuvastatin with regard to change in carotid plaque height. METHODS Eighty-six patients (60.5% of whom were female) with carotid plaques and inflammatory joint disease (55 with RA, 21 with AS, and 10 with psoriatic arthritis) were treated with rosuvastatin to obtain the LDL cholesterol goal. Carotid plaque height was evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS The mean ± SD age of the patients was 60.8 ± 8.5 years, and the median compliance with rosuvastatin treatment was 97.9% (interquartile range [IQR] 96.0-99.4). At baseline, the median number and height of the carotid plaques were 1.0 (range 1-8) and 1.80 mm (IQR 1.60-2.10), respectively. The mean ± SD change in carotid plaque height after 18 months of treatment with rosuvastatin was -0.19 ± 0.35 mm (P < 0.0001). The mean ± SD baseline LDL cholesterol level was 4.0 ± 0.9 mmoles/liter (154.7 ± 34.8 mg/dl), and the mean reduction in the LDL cholesterol level was -2.3 mmoles/liter (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -2.48, -2.15) (-88.9 mg/dl [95% CI -95.9, -83.1]). The mean ± SD LDL cholesterol level during the 18 months of rosuvastatin treatment was 1.7 ± 0.4 mmoles/liter (area under the curve). After adjustment for age/sex/blood pressure, no linear relationship between a reduction in carotid plaque height and the level of LDL cholesterol exposure during the study period was observed. Attainment of the LDL cholesterol goal of ≤1.8 mmoles/liter (≤70 mg/dl) or the amount of change in the LDL cholesterol level during the study period did not influence the degree of carotid plaque height reduction. CONCLUSION Intensive lipid-lowering treatment with rosuvastatin induced atherosclerotic regression and reduced the LDL cholesterol level significantly in patients with inflammatory joint disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Ikdahl
- Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Hisdal
- Oslo University Hospital, Aker, Oslo, Norway
| | - I C Olsen
- Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - I Holme
- Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - K T Smerud
- Smerud Medical Research International AS, Oslo, Norway
| | - G D Kitas
- The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, West Midlands, UK
| | - T R Pedersen
- Centre of Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - T K Kvien
- Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - A G Semb
- Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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48
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Abstract
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint diseases (IJDs) have an increased risk of premature death compared with the general population, mainly because of the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is similar in patients with RA and in those with diabetes mellitus. Pathogenic mechanisms and clinical expression of cardiovascular comorbidities vary greatly between different rheumatic diseases, but atherosclerosis seems to be associated with all IJDs. Traditional risk factors such as age, gender, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoking, obesity and diabetes mellitus, together with inflammation, are the main contributors to the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with IJDs. Although cardiovascular risk assessment should be part of routine care in such patients, no disease-specific models are currently available for this purpose. The main pillars of cardiovascular risk reduction are pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of cardiovascular risk factors, as well as tight control of disease activity.
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Lai CH, Lai WW, Chiou MJ, Lin WC, Yang YJ, Li CY, Tsai LM. Outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: an 11-year nationwide cohort study. Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 75:1350-6. [DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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50
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Hollan I, Dessein PH, Ronda N, Wasko MC, Svenungsson E, Agewall S, Cohen-Tervaert JW, Maki-Petaja K, Grundtvig M, Karpouzas GA, Meroni PL. Prevention of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmun Rev 2015; 14:952-69. [PMID: 26117596 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been recognized for many years. However, although the characteristics of CVD and its burden resemble those in diabetes, the focus on cardiovascular (CV) prevention in RA has lagged behind, both in the clinical and research settings. Similar to diabetes, the clinical picture of CVD in RA may be atypical, even asymptomatic. Therefore, a proactive screening for subclinical CVD in RA is warranted. Because of the lack of clinical trials, the ideal CVD prevention (CVP) in RA has not yet been defined. In this article, we focus on challenges and controversies in the CVP in RA (such as thresholds for statin therapy), and propose recommendations based on the current evidence. Due to the significant contribution of non-traditional, RA-related CV risk factors, the CV risk calculators developed for the general population underestimate the true risk in RA. Thus, there is an enormous need to develop adequate CV risk stratification tools and to identify the optimal CVP strategies in RA. While awaiting results from randomized controlled trials in RA, clinicians are largely dependent on the use of common sense, and extrapolation of data from studies on other patient populations. The CVP in RA should be based on an individualized evaluation of a broad spectrum of risk factors, and include: 1) reduction of inflammation, preferably with drugs decreasing CV risk, 2) management of factors associated with increased CV risk (e.g., smoking, hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, kidney disease, depression, periodontitis, hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and sleep apnea), and promotion of healthy life style (smoking cessation, healthy diet, adjusted physical activity, stress management, weight control), 3) aspirin and influenza and pneumococcus vaccines according to current guidelines, and 4) limiting use of drugs that increase CV risk. Rheumatologists should take responsibility for the education of health care providers and RA patients regarding CVP in RA. It is immensely important to incorporate CV outcomes in testing of anti-rheumatic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Hollan
- Lillehammer Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Norway
| | - P H Dessein
- Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - N Ronda
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy
| | - M C Wasko
- Department of Rheumatology, West Penn Hospital Allegheny Health Network, USA
| | - E Svenungsson
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Agewall
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevål, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - J W Cohen-Tervaert
- Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - K Maki-Petaja
- Division of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - M Grundtvig
- Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - G A Karpouzas
- Division of Rheumatology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, USA; Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Torrance, USA
| | - P L Meroni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Italy; IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Italy
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