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Triantafyllias K, Liverakos S, Muthuraman M, Cavagna L, Parodis I, Schwarting A. Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in Psoriatic Arthritis by Aortic Stiffness and the Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE): Results of the Prospective PSOCARD Cohort Study. Rheumatol Ther 2024:10.1007/s40744-024-00676-z. [PMID: 38819779 DOI: 10.1007/s40744-024-00676-z] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality. Aortic stiffness measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) has been shown to predict CV risk in the general population. The present study aimed to examine cfPWV values of patients with PsA compared to healthy controls and to evaluate associations of cfPWV with patient- and disease-associated characteristics, as well as with an established traditional CV prediction score of the European Society of Cardiology (Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation; SCORE), for the first time. METHODS cfPWV and SCORE were evaluated in patients with PsA and healthy controls, along with clinical and laboratory disease parameters. Differences in cfPWV measurements between the two groups and associations of cfPWV with patient- and disease-associated characteristics were statistically evaluated. RESULTS A total of 150 patients with PsA (PSOCARD cohort) and 88 control subjects were recruited. cfPWV was significantly higher in the PsA group compared to controls, even after adjustment for confounders (padj = 0.034). Moreover, cfPWV was independently associated with disease duration (r = 0.304, p = 0.001), age (rho = 0.688, p < 0.001), systolic arterial pressure (rho = 0.351, p < 0.001), glomerular filtration rate (inverse: rho = - 0.264, p = 0.001), and red cell distribution width, a marker of major adverse CV events (MACE) (rho = 0.190, p = 0.02). SCORE revealed an elevated CV risk in 8.73% of the patients, whereas cfPWV showed increased aortic stiffness and end-organ disease in 16.00% of the same cohort. CONCLUSIONS In the largest cfPWV/PsA cohort examined to date, patients with PsA exhibited increased aortic stiffness compared to healthy controls. PsA duration was the most important independent disease-associated predictor of increased aortic stiffness, next to traditional CV risk factors. cfPWV measurements may help identify subclinical end-organ disease and abnormal aortic stiffness and thus assist CV risk classification in PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Triantafyllias
- Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Kreuznach, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Lorenzo Cavagna
- University and IRCCS Policlinic S. Matteo Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ioannis Parodis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Andreas Schwarting
- Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Bad Kreuznach, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
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Triantafyllias K, Thiele LE, Cavagna L, Baraliakos X, Bertsias G, Schwarting A. Arterial Stiffness as a Surrogate Marker of Cardiovascular Disease and Atherosclerosis in Patients with Arthritides and Connective Tissue Diseases: A Literature Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13111870. [PMID: 37296720 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13111870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased cardiovascular (CV) risk among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as arthritides and connective tissue diseases, has been extensively documented. From a pathophysiological standpoint, systemic inflammation in the context of the disease can lead to endothelial dysfunction, accelerated atherosclerosis, and structural changes in vessel walls, which, in turn, are associated with exaggerated CV morbidity and mortality. In addition to these abnormalities, the increased prevalence of traditional CV risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism, can further worsen the status of and overall prognosis for CV in rheumatic patients. However, data on appropriate CV screening methods for patients with systemic autoimmune diseases are scarce, and traditional algorithms may lead to an underestimation of the true CV risk. The reason for this is that these calculations were developed for the general population and thus do not take into account the effect of the inflammatory burden, as well as other chronic-disease-associated CV risk factors. In recent years, different research groups, including ours, have examined the value of different CV surrogate markers, including carotid sonography, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and flow-mediated arterial dilation, in the assessment of CV risk in healthy and rheumatic populations. In particular, arterial stiffness has been thoroughly examined in a number of studies, showing high diagnostic and predictive value for the occurrence of CV events. To this end, the present narrative review showcases a series of studies examining aortic and peripheral arterial stiffness as surrogates of all-cause CV disease and atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, as well as in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. Moreover, we discuss the associations of arterial stiffness with clinical, laboratory, and disease-specific parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Triantafyllias
- Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 9-11, 55543 Bad Kreuznach, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Leif-Erik Thiele
- Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 9-11, 55543 Bad Kreuznach, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Cavagna
- Department of Rheumatology, University and IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Xenofon Baraliakos
- Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet Herne, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44649 Herne, Germany
| | - George Bertsias
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Andreas Schwarting
- Rheumatology Center Rhineland-Palatinate, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 9-11, 55543 Bad Kreuznach, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Baviera M, Cioffi G, Colacioppo P, Tettamanti M, Fortino I, Roncaglioni MC. Temporal trends from 2005 to 2018 in deaths and cardiovascular events in subjects with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Intern Emerg Med 2021; 16:1467-1475. [PMID: 33386606 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-020-02581-z] [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: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular (CV) disease, the excess of these risks is expected to have diminished over time, in more recent incident cohorts with RA. We analysed the risk of all-cause death, stroke, and myocardial infarction as primary outcomes and all CV events as secondary outcomes in RA subjects compared to the general population, from 2005 to 2018. The risk outcomes were also evaluated in relation to the time since RA diagnosis. We conducted a cohort study using linkable administrative healthcare databases of the Lombardy Region, Northern Italy. Analyses included subjects newly diagnosed RA subjects and a random sample of No-RA subjects. An adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% CIs for all outcomes. The study population comprised 16,047 RA subjects and 500,000 without RA. The risks of dying (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.30), stroke (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22-1.58), myocardial infarction (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.78-2.26) were significantly higher in the RA cohort, as were those that for secondary outcomes. Differences between RA and No-RA already emerged during the first five years after diagnosis. Risk patterns remained statistically significant during the next 5 years or more. Subjects with RA still have a higher risk of death and worse CV outcomes than the general population, appearing early and not decreasing with time. Preventive interventions are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Baviera
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Prevention, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioffi
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Division of Cardiac Rehabilitation, S. Pancrazio Hospital, Arco, Trento, Italy
| | - Pierluca Colacioppo
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Prevention, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Tettamanti
- Laboratory of Geriatric Neuropsychiatry, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Ida Fortino
- Regional Health Ministry, Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Roncaglioni
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Prevention, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156, Milan, Italy
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Arterial stiffness, the hidden face of cardiovascular risk in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 20:102891. [PMID: 34229047 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and are not solely explained by the increased prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in this population. Arterial stiffness, assessed primarily by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and more indirectly by augmentation index (AIx), is a surrogate marker of CVD that should be considered. The objective of this review was to investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and chronic inflammatory and/or autoimmune diseases. METHODS We performed a systemic literature review of articles published in Medline from January 2012 to April 2020 restricted to English languages and to human adults. We selected relevant articles about the relationship between arterial stiffness and rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, Sjogren's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis. For each selected article, data on PWV and AIx were extracted and factors that may have an impact on arterial stiffness were identified. RESULTS A total of 214 references were identified through database searching and 82 of them were retained for analysis. Arterial stiffness is increased in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Traditional CV risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia accentuate this relationship. Current data are insufficient to determine whether disease activity significantly influences arterial stiffness, whereas disease duration seems rather critical. TNF-alpha inhibitors and cardiorespiratory fitness tend to decrease arterial stiffness. Finally, increased arterial stiffness leads to diastolic dysfunction, which is the main mechanism of heart failure in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION CV risk assessment in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases should also rely on PWV and AIx.
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Giollo A, Cioffi G, Ognibeni F, Orsolini G, Dalbeni A, Bixio R, Adami G, Fassio A, Idolazzi L, Gatti D, Rossini M, Viapiana O. Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors reduce aortic stiffness progression in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:158. [PMID: 34082806 PMCID: PMC8173737 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02546-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aortic stiffness index (AoSI) has to be considered a proxy outcome measure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to comparatively describe AoSI progression in two groups of RA patients on long-term treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) with or without tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). METHODS AoSI was evaluated by Doppler echocardiography at the level of the aortic root, using a two-dimensional guided M-mode evaluation. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Changes in serum lipids, glucose and arterial blood pressure were assessed. All patients who did not change DMARD treatment during follow-up were consecutively selected for this study. RESULTS We included 107 (64 TNFi and 43 csDMARDs) RA patients. Most patients (74%) were in remission or low disease activity and had some CVD risk factors (45.8% hypertension, 59.8% dyslipidaemia, 45.3% smoking). The two groups did not differ significantly for baseline AoSI (5.95±3.73% vs 6.08±4.20%, p=0.867). Follow-up AoSI was significantly increased from baseline in the csDMARDs group (+1.00%; p<0.0001) but not in the TNFi group (+0.15%, p=0.477). Patients on TNFi had significantly lower follow-up AoSI from baseline than the csDMARDs group (-1.02%, p<0.001; ANCOVA corrected for baseline AoSI, age and systolic blood pressure). Furthermore, follow-up AoSI was significantly lower in TNFi than in csDMARDs users with an increasing number of CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with TNFi was associated with reduced aortic stiffness progression in patients with established RA and several CVD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Giollo
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy. .,Division of Rheumatology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioffi
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.,Division of Cardiac Rehabilitation, S. Pancrazio Hospital, Arco di Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Orsolini
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Dalbeni
- Internal Medicine and Hypertension Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Verona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bixio
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Adami
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Angelo Fassio
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Idolazzi
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona Hospital Trust, Policlinico G.B. Rossi 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
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Cioffi G, Viapiana O, Tarantini L, Ognibeni F, Orsolini G, Fassio A, Gatti D, Rossini M, Giollo A. Cancer in adult patients with inflammatory arthritis is associated with high ascending aortic stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Intern Emerg Med 2021; 16:73-81. [PMID: 32221774 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-020-02310-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), are associated with both cancer and cardiovascular (CV) adverse events. Cancer and CV abnormalities have coincident etiologic and pathophysiologic pathways in RA/PsA/AS patients. However, a comprehensive evaluation of CV system has never been performed in these patients in relation to the presence of cancer. This study was designed to assess the possible relationships between CV abnormalities and cancer among RA/PsA/AS patients. Between March 2014 and March 2015, 414 patients (214 RA, 125 PsA, and 75 SA) in sinus rhythm without known cardiac disease underwent clinical and color Doppler echocardiographic evaluation and were prospectively followed up. Patients had a mean age of 58 ± 12 years, 64% women. Forty-two patients (10.1%) had a diagnosis of cancer (made before enrollment in 24 cases and in 18 cases during the 36 months of follow-up). Skin cancer was the most frequent malignancy found, followed by thyroid, colon, pancreas, and breast cancer. Patients who had cancer were older with higher systolic blood pressure, more frequent hypertension and moderate/high disease activity, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and higher ascending aortic stiffness index (AOSI) than those who had not. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, LV diastolic dysfunction and abnormally high AOSI emerged as conditions associated with cancer together with older age and hypertension. Cancer in RA/PsA/AS adults without history of CV disease is closely associated with specific asymptomatic CV abnormalities, such as LV diastolic dysfunction and reduced vascular elasticity, which are independent of age and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cioffi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Policlinico Borgo Roma, Piazzale Scuro 10, Verona, Italy.
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarantini
- Division of Cardiology, San Martino Hospital, Belluno, Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Orsolini
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Angelo Fassio
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Giollo A, Farina N, Cioffi G, Ognibeni F, Dalbeni A, Orsolini G, Idolazzi L, Gatti D, Rossini M, Viapiana O. Concentric left ventricular remodelling is associated with subclinical systolic dysfunction in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol Suppl 2020; 49:389-396. [DOI: 10.1080/03009742.2020.1739328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A Giollo
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - N Farina
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - G Cioffi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - F Ognibeni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Dalbeni
- General Medicine and Hypertension Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - G Orsolini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - L Idolazzi
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - D Gatti
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M Rossini
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - O Viapiana
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Mangoni AA, Tommasi S, Zinellu A, Sotgia S, Bassu S, Piga M, Erre GL, Carru C. Methotrexate and Vasculoprotection: Mechanistic Insights and Potential Therapeutic Applications in Old Age. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 25:4175-4184. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191112091700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Increasing age is a strong, independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Key
abnormalities driving cardiovascular risk in old age include endothelial dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness,
blood pressure, and the pro-atherosclerotic effects of chronic, low-grade, inflammation. The identification of
novel therapies that comprehensively target these alterations might lead to a major breakthrough in cardiovascular
risk management in the older population. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies have
shown that methotrexate, a first-line synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, significantly reduces
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a human model of systemic
inflammation, premature atherosclerosis, and vascular aging. We reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies
investigating the effects of methotrexate on endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure, and the
potential mechanisms of action involved. The available evidence suggests that methotrexate might have beneficial
effects on vascular homeostasis and blood pressure control by targeting specific inflammatory pathways,
adenosine metabolism, and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Such effects might be
biologically and clinically relevant not only in patients with rheumatoid arthritis but also in older adults with high
cardiovascular risk. Therefore, methotrexate has the potential to be repurposed for cardiovascular risk
management in old age because of its putative pharmacological effects on inflammation, vascular homeostasis,
and blood pressure. However, further study and confirmation of these effects are essential in order to adequately
design intervention studies of methotrexate in the older population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arduino A. Mangoni
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sara Tommasi
- Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Angelo Zinellu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sotgia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Bassu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Matteo Piga
- Rheumatology Unit, University Clinic and AOU of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gian L. Erre
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital (AOUSS) and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ciriaco Carru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
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Cioffi G, Viapiana O, Orsolini G, Idolazzi L, Fracassi E, Ognibeni F, Dalbeni A, Gatti D, Carletto A, Fassio A, Rossini M, Giollo A. Usefulness of CHA2DS2‐VASc score to predict mortality and hospitalization in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Int J Rheum Dis 2019; 23:106-115. [DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cioffi
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Giovanni Orsolini
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Luca Idolazzi
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Elena Fracassi
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Andrea Dalbeni
- Department of Medicine General Medicine and Hypertension Unit University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Antonio Carletto
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Angelo Fassio
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Rheumatology Section Department of Medicine University of Verona Verona Italy
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Piepoli MF. Editor’s presentation. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2018; 25:1571-1573. [DOI: 10.1177/2047487318804454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Guerra F, Stronati G, Fischietti C, Ferrarini A, Zuliani L, Pomponio G, Capucci A, Danieli MG, Gabrielli A. Global longitudinal strain measured by speckle tracking identifies subclinical heart involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2018; 25:1598-1606. [PMID: 29966435 DOI: 10.1177/2047487318786315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis is characterised by progressive cutaneous and organ fibrosis. Among all organs, a subclinical heart involvement is difficult to detect through conventional imaging. Design We evaluated whether speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain could help detect early subclinical systolic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis patients without overt clinical involvement. Methods A case-control, single-centre study on 52 systemic sclerosis patients and 52 age and gender-matched controls. Patients with structural heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and pulmonary hypertension were excluded. For every patient, standard echocardiographic and speckle tracking-derived variables for the systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle and right ventricle were acquired. Results Traditional parameters of left and right systolic function did not differ between systemic sclerosis patients and controls (all P = ns). Left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain was significantly impaired in patients with systemic sclerosis when compared to controls (-19.2% vs. -21.1%; P = 0.009 and -18.2% vs. -22.3%; P = 0.012, respectively). Systemic sclerosis patients had a 2.5-fold increased risk of subclinical left ventricular systolic impairment (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval 1.1-5.5; P = 0.027) and a 3.3-fold increased risk of subclinical right ventricular systolic impairment when compared to controls (odds ratio 3.3, 95% confidence interval 1.4-7.7; P = 0.004). Alterations in the myocardial deformation pattern of systemic sclerosis patients were homogeneous in the right ventricle and eccentric in the left ventricle. Conclusions While traditional echocardiographic parameters are ineffective in detecting subclinical systolic impairment, reduced global longitudinal strain is common in patients with systemic sclerosis and significant for both ventricles. Global longitudinal strain could become a low-cost, non-invasive and reliable tool in order to detect early cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Guerra
- 1 Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy
| | - Giulia Stronati
- 1 Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy
| | | | | | - Lucia Zuliani
- 2 Clinica Medica, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Capucci
- 1 Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Italy
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Faganello G, Cioffi G, Rossini M, Ognibeni F, Giollo A, Fisicaro M, Russo G, Di Nora C, Doimo S, Tarantini L, Mazzone C, Cherubini A, D'Agata Mottolesi B, Pandullo C, Di Lenarda A, Sinagra G, Viapiana O. Are aortic coarctation and rheumatoid arthritis different models of aortic stiffness? Data from an echocardiographic study. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2018; 16:9. [PMID: 29940971 PMCID: PMC6019794 DOI: 10.1186/s12947-018-0126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients who underwent a successful repair of the aortic coarctation (CoA) show high risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. Mechanical and structural abnormalities in the ascending aorta (Ao) might have a role in the prognosis of CoA patients. We analyzed the elastic properties of Ao measured as aortic stiffness index (AoSI) in CoA patients in the long-term period and we compared AoSI with a cohort of 38 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 38 non-RA matched controls. Methods Data from 19 CoA patients were analyzed 28 ± 13 years after surgery. Abnormally high AoSI was diagnosed if AoSI > 6.07% (95th percentile of the AoSI detected in our reference healthy population). AoSI was assessed at the level of the aortic root by two-dimensional guided M-mode evaluation. Results CoA patients showed more than two-fold higher AoSI compared to RA and controls (9.8 ± 12.6 vs 4.8 ± 2.5% and 3.1 ± 2.0%, respectively; all p < 0.05 and in 5 of 19 patients with CoA (26%) AoSI was exceptionally high. The 5 patients with abnormally high AoSI were older with higher BP, LV mass and prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that AoSI was independently related to the presence of LV hypertrophy and higher LV relative wall thickness. Conclusions CoA patients have higher AoSI levels than RA patients and non-RA matched controls. AoSI levels are abnormally high in a small sub-group of CoA patients who show a very high-risk clinical profile for adverse CV events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Faganello
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioffi
- Department of Cardiology, Villa Bianca Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fisicaro
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Russo
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Concetta Di Nora
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Doimo
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarantini
- Department of cardiology, Ospedale Civile S. Martino, Belluno, Italy
| | - Carmine Mazzone
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonella Cherubini
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Pandullo
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Lenarda
- Cardiovascular Centre, Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, via Slataper n°9, 34134, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Sinagra
- Department of Cardiology, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
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Cioffi G, Ognibeni F, Dalbeni A, Giollo A, Orsolini G, Gatti D, Rossini M, Viapiana O. High prevalence of occult heart disease in normotensive patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Cardiol 2018; 41:736-743. [PMID: 29869800 DOI: 10.1002/clc.22926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to chronic inflammatory status, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are exposed to changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry and function. We assessed prevalence, factors associated with, and prognostic role of concentric LV geometry and systolic dysfunction (LVSD) detected by echocardiography in a large cohort of patients with RA and normal blood pressure. HYPOTHESIS Changes in LV geometry and function are widely detectable in normotensive patients with RA analyzed in primary prevention. METHODS We prospectively analyzed 194 normotensive RA patients without overt cardiac disease recruited between March 2014 and May 2016, compared with 194 non-RA matched controls. Relative wall thickness >0.43 defined concentric LV geometry. LVSD was defined as impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS). The prespecified study endpoints were all-cause hospitalization and hospitalization for cardiovascular cause. RESULTS The 194 normotensive subjects (mean age, 54 years; 63% female; RA duration 13 years) had a prevalence of LV concentric geometry 5-fold higher and LVSD 5-fold higher than non-RA matched controls. Body mass index, LVSD, and diastolic dysfunction were associated with concentric LV geometry, while worsening renal function and older age were associated with LVSD. LVSD was independently related to the study endpoints (HR 2.37 [1.24-4.53], p = 0.009, for all-causes hospitalization and HR 6.60 [1.47-29.72], p = 0.01 for cardiovascular hospitalization). CONCLUSIONS Despite normotensive status, a consistent proportion of RA patients analyzed in primary prevention have cardiac abnormalities detectable by echocardiography. LVSD is a strong prognosticator of adverse outcome at midterm period in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cioffi
- Department of Cardiology, Villa Bianca Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Dalbeni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Orsolini
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Factors associated with accelerated subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with spondyloarthritis without overt cardiovascular disease. Clin Rheumatol 2017; 36:2487-2495. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-017-3786-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Cioffi G, Viapiana O, Ognibeni F, Dalbeni A, Giollo A, Gatti D, Idolazzi L, Faganello G, Di Lenarda A, Rossini M. Prognostic Role of Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Evaluated by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2017; 30:602-611. [PMID: 28391000 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Speckle-tracking echocardiography allows early detection of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this prospective study, we assessed the prevalence and the prognostic role of subclinical LVSD detected by speckle-tracking echocardiography in RA patients. METHODS Two-dimensional global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were measured in 209 RA patients without overt cardiac disease. LVSD was defined as low GLS (> -16.0%), low GCS (> -17.8%), or both. The primary end point was all-causes hospitalization; the coprimary end point was hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. RESULTS The study population had a mean age of 58 ± 11 years; 67% were female, 52% had hypertension, and the RA duration was 14 ± 10 years. Low GLS was detected in 51 patients (24%), low GCS in 42 patients (20%), and combined low GLS and GCS in 18 patients (9%). During a median follow-up time of 16 months (range, 10-21 months), a primary end point occurred in 50 patients (24%), and 25 patients were hospitalized for a cardiovascular event. Multiple Cox regression analyses revealed that combined low GLS and GCS was independently associated with the end point defined as all-causes hospitalization together with higher aortic stiffness. Examined individually, neither low GCS nor low GLS showed an independent association with this typology of clinical outcome. Conversely, both low GCS and low GLS (examined individually or as combined low GLS and GCS) emerged as strong independent prognosticators of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS Subclinical LVSD defined as low GLS, GCS, or both is common in RA patients without overt cardiac disease and provides additional prognostic information in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cioffi
- Department of Cardiology, Villa Bianca Hospital, Trento, Italy.
| | - Ombretta Viapiana
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Ognibeni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Dalbeni
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giollo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Davide Gatti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Idolazzi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giorgio Faganello
- Cardiovascular Center Health Authority n° 1 and University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Lenarda
- Cardiovascular Center Health Authority n° 1 and University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Maurizio Rossini
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Cuomo F, Roccabianca S, Dillon-Murphy D, Xiao N, Humphrey JD, Figueroa CA. Effects of age-associated regional changes in aortic stiffness on human hemodynamics revealed by computational modeling. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0173177. [PMID: 28253335 PMCID: PMC5333881 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although considered by many as the gold standard clinical measure of arterial stiffness, carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) averages material and geometric properties over a large portion of the central arterial tree. Given that such properties may evolve differentially as a function of region in cases of hypertension and aging, among other conditions, there is a need to evaluate the potential utility of cf-PWV as an early diagnostic of progressive vascular stiffening. In this paper, we introduce a data-driven fluid-solid-interaction computational model of the human aorta to simulate effects of aging-related changes in regional wall properties (e.g., biaxial material stiffness and wall thickness) and conduit geometry (e.g., vessel caliber, length, and tortuosity) on several metrics of arterial stiffness, including distensibility, augmented pulse pressure, and cyclic changes in stored elastic energy. Using the best available biomechanical data, our results for PWV compare well to findings reported for large population studies while rendering a higher resolution description of evolving local and global metrics of aortic stiffening. Our results reveal similar spatio-temporal trends between stiffness and its surrogate metrics, except PWV, thus indicating a complex dependency of the latter on geometry. Lastly, our analysis highlights the importance of the tethering exerted by external tissues, which was iteratively estimated until hemodynamic simulations recovered typical values of tissue properties, pulse pressure, and PWV for each age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Cuomo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sara Roccabianca
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | | | - Nan Xiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - C. Alberto Figueroa
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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