Subclinical cardiovascular system changes in obese patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Impact of puberty, sex determinants and chronic inflammation on cardiovascular risk in young people

Worrying trends of increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in children, adolescents and young people in the Modern Era have channelled research and public health strategies to tackle this growing epidemic. However, there are still controversies related to the dynamic of the impact of sex, age and puberty on this risk and on cardiovascular health outcomes later in life. In this comprehensive review of current literature, we examine the relationship between puberty, sex determinants and various traditional CVD-risk factors, as well as subclinical atherosclerosis in young people in general population. In addition, we evaluate the role of chronic inflammation, sex hormone therapy and health-risk behaviours on augmenting traditional CVD-risk factors and health outcomes, ultimately aiming to determine whether tailored management strategies for this age group are justified.

Obesity as a comorbidity in children and adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Childhood obesity is the public health issue with alarming rates recorded throughout developed world and an important modifiable health risk for developing various chronic diseases, with childhood-onset autoimmune rheumatic diseases among them also. The aim of this article was to summarize epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical implication of obesity on juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), IgA vasculitis (IgAV) and Kawasaki disease (KD). We reviewed PubMed database and selected 74 relevant articles. Epidemiological data of obesity among children with autoimmune rheumatic diseases indicate an increased prevalence of it. Pathophysiological link between obesity, humoral adipokines and cytokines released from fat tissue and childhood-onset autoimmune rheumatic diseases is complex and still not entirely clear. From the clinical point of view, obesity was not associated with disease activity in JIA and cSLE, but proved to contribute on functional impairment in both diseases and affect poor treatment response in JIA patients. Early atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in obese children and adolescents with JIA, cSLE and JDM are certainly important obesity-related complications. Understanding how obesity affects children and adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases may encourage clinicians to consider taking better preventive strategies in this population to improve their long-term outcome.

Cardiovascular Health in Pediatric Rheumatologic Diseases

Cardiovascular disease risk is evident during childhood for patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The American Heart Association defines cardiovascular health as a positive health construct reflecting the sum of protective factors against cardiovascular disease. Disease-related factors such as chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction increase cardiovascular disease risk directly and through bidirectional relationships with poor cardiovascular health factors. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to improve cardiovascular health and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in children with rheumatic disease are needed.

Biomarkers of lipid metabolism in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: relationship with disease subtype and inflammatory activity

BACKGROUND

To describe the biomarkers of lipid metabolism in children and adolescents with polyarticular and systemic JIA and to relate them to diseases subtypes, diseases activity markers, and nutritional status.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 62 JIA patients was performed. The following variables were evaluated: disease activity and medications used, body mass index, height for age (z-score), skin folds (bicipital, tricipital, subscapular and suprailiac), food intake based on three 24-h food recalls, lipid profile (total cholesterol (CT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG) and non-HDL (N-HDLc), glycemia and insulin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) and apolipoproteins A-I and B (Apo A-I and Apo B).

RESULTS

Dyslipidemia was observed in 83.3% of the patients. Based on classical lipid profile, low HDL-c levels was the most frequently alteration observed. Inadequate levels of LDL-c, Apo B and NHDL-c were significantly more frequent in the systemic JIA subtype when compared to the polyarticular subtype (p = 0.017, 0.001 and 0.042 respectively). Patients on biological therapy had a better adequacy of Apo A-I concentrations. The ESR showed a negative correlation with Apo A-I level (r = - 0.25, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

We concluded that dyslipidemia is common in patients with JIA, especially in systemic subtype. The systemic subtype and an elevated ESR were associated with lower concentrations of Apo A-I, suggesting the participation of the inflammatory process.

Lipid profile of pediatric patients with chronic rheumatic diseases - a retrospective analysis

AIM

To describe the prevalence of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs), particularly juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE), and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

METHODS

Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in the pediatric rheumatology outpatient clinic. We evaluated 186 children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years. The medical records were reviewed for the following data: demographic and clinical features, disease activity, and lipid profile (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C)). In addition, non-HDL cholesterol was calculated as TC minus HDL-C. The cut-off points proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics were used to classify the lipid profile.

RESULTS

Dyslipidemia was observed in 128 patients (68.8%), the most common being decreased HDL-C (74 patients, 39.8%). In the JIA group there was an association between the systemic subtype and altered LDL-C and NHDL-C, which demonstrated a more atherogenic profile in this subtype (p=0.027 and p=0.017, respectively). Among patients with jSLE, the cumulative corticosteroid dose was associated with an increase in LDL-C (p=0.013) and with a decrease in HDL-C (p=0.022).

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemia is common in children and adolescents with ARDs, especially JIA, jSLE, and JDM, and the main alteration in the lipid profile of these patients was decreased HDL-C.

Early-onset subclinical cardiovascular damage assessed by non-invasive methods in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: analytical cross-sectional study

Chronic inflammation starting early in life and continuing into adulthood may predispose children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) to cardiovascular (CV) complications. To compare non-invasive CV risk markers- left ventricular mass index (LVMi), brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) between patients with JIA and healthy controls. Measurements of LVMi, CIMT and FMD and lipid profile were compared between 4 and 18 year old 81 patients with JIA and 78 age and sex matched healthy controls. Among 81, 20 had systemic onset, 19 enthesitis related arthritis, 9 polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF) + ve, 19 polyarticular RF -ve, 11 oligo-articular, and 3 un-differentiated JIA. FMD was significantly lower (p < 0.001), CIMT and LVMi significantly higher in patients (p ≤  0.001). CIMT showed positive correlation with blood pressure (p = 0.001), disease duration (p  ≤  0.001) and negative correlation with high density lipoprotein (HDL) (p ≤  0.001). FMD correlated positively with HDL (p = 0.006) and negatively with disease duration (p ≤  0.001). CIMT (p = 0.017) and FMD (p = 0.04) were significantly worse in active than inactive disease. Children with JIA have worse lipid profile, increased LVMi, CIMT, and reduced brachial artery FMD, suggestive of early cardiovascular dysfunction.

Predictors of subclinical cardiovascular affection in Egyptian patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis subtypes

Background

To assess the subclinical cardiovascular affection in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Egyptian patient subtypes using Doppler ultrasonography (US) for carotid and femoral arteries and detecting their predictors

Results

Forty percent of the patients were polyarticular type, while 40% were systemic onset and 20% were oligoarticular. There was a statistically significant difference between JIA and controls in all parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasonography except right external carotid velocity and (right and left) femoral velocity. There was also a highly significant increase in intima-media thickness (IMT) in systemic onset type of JIA. There was a statistically positive correlation between increased internal carotid velocity (right and left) and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipid profile, and disease activity. High disease activity and lipid profile were valid predictors of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular affection in JIA.

Conclusion

Increased cardiovascular risks and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with JIA especially systemic onset type may be due to higher prevalence of multiple risk factors in these patients. Doppler ultrasonography is a simple, non-invasive technique which can be used to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in JIA. Control of disease activity by treat to target strategy and proper diet control should be applied for every patient with JIA especially those with systemic onset type for future prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Impaired Muscular Fat Metabolism in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in Inactive Disease

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate muscular metabolic function in children with inactive juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Fifteen children with inactive JIA and fifteen healthy controls were matched by sex, biological age, and Tanner stage. Participants completed a submaximal incremental exercise test to determine their fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates.

Results: Between the two groups, heart rate values and carbohydrate oxidation rates were the same, regardless of the relative intensity of exercise. Lipid oxidation rates were lower in JIA patients, regardless of the percentage of VO₂ peak (p < 0.05). Respiratory exchange ratios beyond 50% of VO₂ peak were higher in patients with JIA (p < 0.05). Respective maximal fat oxidation rates (MFO) for controls and children with JIA were 218.7 ± 92.2 vs. 157.5 ± 65.9 mg ⋅ min^-1 (p = 0.03) and 4.9 ± 1.9 vs. 3.4 ± 1.2 mg ⋅ min^-1 ⋅ kg^-1 (p = 0.04). There was no difference between the two groups in heart rate, percentage of VO₂ peak, or power of exercise to achieve MFO. Controls reached their MFO at an exercise power significantly higher than did JIA subjects (42.8 ± 16.8 and 31.9 ± 9.8 W, p = 0.004).

Conclusion: Children with JIA show metabolic disturbance during exercise, even when the disease is considered inactive. This disturbance is seen in a lower lipid oxidation rate during submaximal exercise.

Microangiopathy in Naifold Videocapillaroscopy and Its Relations to sE- Selectin, Endothelin-1, and hsCRP as Putative Endothelium Dysfunction Markers among Adolescents with Raynaud's Phenomenon

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the qualitative abnormalities on nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), and the concentrations of selected biomarkers (sE-selectin, endothelin-1, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP)) and lipid metabolism parameters in children and adolescents with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). Raynaud’s phenomenon, to assess whether nailfold capillary changes may reflect the degree of systemic blood vessel abnormalities. The study group included 66 patients (34 undifferentiated—uRP and 32 secondary—sRP) aged 6–19 years and the control group. In both groups, NVC was performed and the selected biomarkers were measured (sE-selectin, endothelin-1, hsCRP) and lipid profile. Endothelin-1, sE-selectin and hsCRP concentrations in patients from both RP groups were significantly higher; concentration of HDL fraction was significantly lower compared with the control group. The analysis of multiple linear regression demonstrated that megacapillaries most strongly determine the sE-selectin value (p = 0.04) and hsCRP (p = 0.03). Both the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction concentrations were determined by the presence of avascular areas (p = 0.02). In conclusion, specific pathologic NVC changes were associated with higher endothelial damage biomarkers concentration and adverse changes in the lipid profile.

The Assessment of Serum Endocan Levels in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the levels of serum endocan in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Patients and methods

Sixty-seven children with JIA (30 males, 37 females; mean age 10.4±4.9 years; range 2 to 18 years) and a sex- and age- matched healthy control group of 39 children (16 males, 23 females; mean age 9.3±4.1 years; range 1 to 17 years) were recruited. Patients with JIA were divided into two groups as the clinically active JIA group (n=27) and inactive JIA group (n=40).

Results

The median serum endocan level in patients with JIA was significantly higher than in the control group (633.75 ng/L vs. 379.76 ng/L, p<0.01). Comparison between patients with active JIA and inactive JIA was not significant in terms of endocan levels (618.70 ng/L vs. 687.36 ng/L, p=0.34). There was a weak negative correlation between Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire scores of patients with JIA and serum endocan levels.

Conclusion

The high level of serum endocan highlighted the endothelial damage in patients with JIA.

Methods to evaluate arterial structure and function in children - State-of-the art knowledge

BACKGROUND

With increasing rates of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes in the pediatric population, wide available, and reproducible methods are necessary to evaluate arterial structure and function in children and adolescents.

METHODS

MEDLINE/Pubmed was searched for articles published in years 2012-2017 on methodology of, current knowledge on, and limitations of the most commonly used methods to evaluate central, proximal and coronary arteries, as well as endothelial function in pediatric patients.

RESULTS

Among 1528 records screened (including 1475 records from years 2012 to 2017) 139 papers were found suitable for the review. Following methods were discussed in this review article: ultrasound measurements of the intima-media thickness, coronary calcium scoring using computed tomography, arterial stiffness measurements (pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis, carotid artery distensibility, pulse pressure, and ambulatory arterial stiffness index), ankle-brachial index, and methods to evaluate vascular endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilation, peripheral arterial tonometry, Doppler laser flowmetry, and cellular and soluble markers of endothelial dysfunction).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonographic measurement of carotid intima-media thickness and measurement of pulse wave velocity (by oscillometry or applanation tonometry) are highly reproducible methods applicable for both research and clinical practice with proved applicability for children aged ≥6 years or with height ≥120cm. Evaluation of ambulatory arterial stiffness index by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is another promising option in pediatric high-risk patients. Clearly, further studies are necessary to evaluate usefulness of these and other methods for the detection of subclinical arterial damage in children.

Lipoprotein cholesterol fractions are related to markers of inflammation in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to determine levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density, and high-density lipoprotein fractions of cholesterol (LDLc and HDLc), in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and relate those to disease activity, overweight, and physical activity (PA), testing the hypothesis that the levels of cholesterol fractions are associated with inflammation as well as with overweight and low PA.

METHODS

Two hundred ten patients with JIA were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. TC, LDLc, HDLc were measured, and associations with clinical disease activity (JADAS27), biomarkers of inflammation (myelo-related protein complex 8/14 (MRP8/14), C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtH ratio), and PA were explored.

RESULTS

Mean values for TC, LDLc, and HDLc in the patients were within the normal range for Danish Children. HDLc was negatively correlated with MRP8/14 (r = -0.343, CI -0.474 to -0.201, p < 0.0005) but was not related to overweight or PA. Neither TC nor LDLc showed any association with inflammation, overweight, or PA. MRP8/14 correlated positively with CRP, JADAS27 and WtH ratio (r = 0.277, CI 0.142 to 0.413, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of cholesterol fractions in patients with JIA were found within the normal range. Nonetheless, the level of HDLc was negatively associated with the level of the inflammatory marker MRP8/14, which is in accordance with the concept of inflammation as an important driver for premature development of atherosclerosis in JIA. WtH ratio (a measure of central fatness) was not associated to HDLc, but to MRP8/14, suggestive of central fatness as an additional driving factor for the chronic inflammation in JIA.

Carotid Atherosclerosis in Adult Patients with Persistently Active Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Compared with Healthy Controls

Objective.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease in childhood. It is regarded as a systemic inflammatory disease with possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to assess carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid stenosis as surrogate measures for CVD in adults with longterm active JIA and healthy age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods.

Seventy-five patients with JIA (age 28–45 yrs) with persistently active disease at least 15 years after disease onset were reexamined after a median of 29 years and compared with 75 matched controls. Patients and controls were examined by color duplex ultrasound of the carotid arteries to compare carotid IMT and carotid stenosis in the 2 groups.

Results.

Patients with JIA did not have increased carotid IMT values compared with the controls (mean ± SD: 0.56 mm ± 0.09 vs 0.58 mm ± 0.07, p = 0.289). Patients with a higher disease activity indicated by the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score value above the median value had increased carotid IMT compared with the patients with a lower value, but not statistically different compared with controls. No carotid stenoses were detected in patients or controls.

Conclusion.

We found similar carotid IMT values in adult patients with JIA and controls.

Premature subclinical atherosclerosis in children and young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A review considering preventive measures

Many studies show that Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is associated with early subclinical signs of atherosclerosis. Chronic inflammation per se may be an important driver but other known risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin insensitivity, a physically inactive lifestyle, obesity, and tobacco smoking may also contribute substantially. We performed a systematic review of studies through the last 20 years on early signs of subclinical atherosclerosis in children and adolescents with JIA with the purpose of investigating whether possible risk factors, other than inflammation, were considered.We found 13 descriptive cross sectional studies with healthy controls, one intervention study and two studies on adults diagnosed with JIA. Only one study addressed obesity, and physical activity (PA) has only been assessed in one study on adults with JIA and only by self-reporting. This is important as studies on PA in children with JIA have shown that most patients are less physically active than their healthy peers, and as physical inactivity in several large studies of normal schoolchildren is found to be associated with increased clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It is thus possible that an inactive lifestyle in patients with JIA is an important contributor to development of the subclinical signs of atherosclerosis seen in children with JIA, and that promotion of an active lifestyle in childhood and adolescence may diminish the risk for premature atherosclerotic events in adulthood.

Endothelial progenitor cell levels in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: effects of anti-inflammatory therapies

BACKGROUND

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), similarly to other arthritides, can be associated with damage of endothelial layer of which structure and function is dependent on reparative properties of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). To date, it remained unknown whether EPC numbers are altered in young JIA patients and whether on-going anti-inflammatory therapies could exert positive effects on these progenitor cells.

METHODS

We performed a quantitative analysis of EPC numbers in 25 patients diagnosed with JIA according to International League of Associations for Rheumatism (ILAR) criteria [age 11.50 (7.50-15.00) years] in a broad context of inflammatory and cardiovascular parameters as well as different types of anti-inflammatory treatments. 11 healthy children [age 13.00 (11.00-14.00) years] were recruited as a control group.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that EPC numbers were similar in JIA patients and control subjects (0.02% vs. 0.05%, respectively, p = 0.37). EPC levels in JIA patients were negatively correlated with index of insulin resistance (rho = -0.458, p = 0.021), endogenous insulin (rho = -0.472, p = 0.017), triglyceride (rho = -0.438, p = 0.029) and TNF-alpha levels (rho = -0.446, p = 0.026). Notably, glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, was associated with detection of decreased EPC levels in JIA patients (p = 0.023). In contrast, methothrexate (MTX) and etanercept therapy in JIA patients did not affect EPC levels (p = 0.92 and p = 0.08, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that EPC numbers are maintained at normal levels in JIA patients and are not enhanced by disease-specific anti-inflammatory treatments.