Cardiovascular risk markers in patients with psoriatic arthritis: A meta-analysis of literature studies

Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation in Psoriatic Arthritis by Aortic Stiffness and the Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE): Results of the Prospective PSOCARD Cohort Study

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.

Endothelial dysfunction and risk factors for atherosclerosis in psoriatic arthritis: overview and comparison with rheumatoid arthritis

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is defined as an impairment in the vasodilatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory properties of the cells that make up the lining of blood vessels. ED is considered a key step in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The association between ED and systemic inflammatory diseases is well established. However, the prevalence and clinical significance of ED in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been investigated to a lesser extent. This review aims to explore the link between ED and PsA, including ED in macro- and microcirculation, as well as risk factors for its occurrence in PsA and its relationship with atherosclerosis in PsA. Furthermore, the ED in PsA was compared with that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Regarding ED in the microcirculation, the coronary flow reserve was found to be significantly reduced in individuals with PsA. The relationship between PsA and macrovascular ED is more pronounced, along with more advanced atherosclerosis detected in patients with PsA. These results are consistent with those obtained in RA studies. On the other hand, arterial stiffness and signs of vascular remodeling were found more frequently in RA than in PsA, with the potential role of efficient anti-TNF treatment in patients with PsA and psoriasis explaining this finding. The impact of ED on cardiovascular diseases and the burden of this risk caused independently by PsA have not yet been precisely established, however, this group of patients requires special attention with regard to cardiovascular events.

Increased vascular inflammation on PET/CT in psoriatic arthritis patients in comparison with controls

BACKGROUND

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly due to a chronic inflammatory state.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study was to investigate the difference in vascular inflammation, measured with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT), in PsA patients and controls. We conducted a secondary analysis to assess the association between clinical parameters of disease activity with vascular inflammation in PsA.

METHODS

We included a total of 75 PsA patients with active peripheral arthritis (defined as ≥2 tender and swollen joints) from an ongoing clinical trial (EudraCT 2017-003900-28) and a retrospective group of 40 controls diagnosed with melanoma, without distant metastases and not receiving immunotherapy. The main outcome measure was aortic vascular inflammation which was measured on PET/CT scans using target-to-background ratios. Clinical disease activity in PsA was assessed with joint counts, body surface area and the Disease Activity index for PsA. Laboratory assessments included C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

RESULTS

Vascular inflammation was increased in patients with PsA in comparison with controls (mean target-to-background ratio for entire aorta, respectively, 1.63±0.17 vs 1.49±0.16; p=<0.001). This association remained significant after correction for gender, age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure and aortic calcification (p=0.002). Vascular inflammation was not associated with disease-related parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic vascular inflammation was significantly increased in patients with active PsA compared with controls. This evidence supports the theory that inflammation in PsA is not limited to the skin and joints but also involves the vascular system.

The Relationship of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness with Cell Adhesion Molecules and Pentraxin-3 in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Aim Cardiovascular morbidity is increased in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to the general population. Several recent studies have indicated that pentraxin 3 (PTX-3) and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) might be independent biomarkers of subclinical atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship of CAMs and PTX-3 with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with PsA and to compare CIMT and serum levels of these biomarkers in patients with healthy controls (HCs).

Method PsA patients fulfilling the CASPAR (Classification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis) criteria without traditional cardiovascular (CV) comorbidity and HCs without autoimmune and/or CV disease were included in this cross-sectional study. Carotid artery Doppler ultrasound examinations were conducted by a single radiologist blinded to the participants’ clinical characteristics. Serum vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin, and PTX-3 concentrations were analized.

Results 43 PsA patients (27 females, mean age 42.49±11.70 years, and a mean disease duration of 9.37±7.96 years) and 37 HCs (28 females, mean age 42.16±11.38 years) were included. In regression analyses, age and PTX-3 were found to be the best predictors of CIMT in patients with PsA. CIMT was significantly higher in PsA patients compared with HCs (0.63±0.18 vs. 0.49±0.10 mm, p<0.01). In te PsA group, serum levels of PTX-3, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were also significantly higher than HCs. CIMT correlated positively with age, disease duration, PTX-3, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 (p<0.05).

Conclusion In our study, age and serum level of PTX-3 were found to be the predictors of CIMT in patients with PsA without CV comorbidity. This outcome highlights the importance of monitoring CIMT and serum level of PTX-3 as CV risk factors in PsA patients.

Clinical assessment of endothelial function in convalescent COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis with meta-regressions

BACKGROUND

Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its post-acute sequelae. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is recognized as an accurate clinical method to assess endothelial function. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of the studies evaluating FMD in convalescent COVID-19 patients and controls with no history of COVID-19.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in the main scientific databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using the random effects method, differences between cases and controls were expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The protocol was registered on PROSPERO with reference number CRD42021289684.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in the final analysis. A total of 644 convalescent COVID-19 patients showed significantly lower FMD values as compared to 662 controls (MD: -2.31%; 95% CI: -3.19, -1.44; p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analysis of the studies that involved participants in either group with no cardiovascular risk factors or history of coronary artery disease (MD: -1.73%; 95% CI: -3.04, -0.41; p = 0.010). Interestingly, when considering studies separately based on enrolment within or after 3 months of symptom onset, results were further confirmed in both short- (MD: -2.20%; 95% CI: -3.35, -1.05; p < 0.0001) and long-term follow-up (MD: -2.53%; 95% CI: -4.19, -0.86; p = 0.003). Meta-regression models showed that an increasing prevalence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 was linked to a higher difference in FMD between cases and controls (Z-score: -2.09; p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist. Targeting endothelial dysfunction through pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies may represent an attractive therapeutic option.Key messagesThe mechanisms underlying the post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been fully elucidated.Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients for up to 1 year after infection, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist.Targeting endothelial dysfunction may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the post-acute phase of COVID-19.

Association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Psoriasis and atherosclerosis have overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. However, the association between psoriasis and coronary artery calcification (CAC), a hallmark of atherosclerosis and a predictor of poor cardiovascular prognosis, remains to be determined. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the association between these related inflammatory conditions.

Methods

Observational studies evaluating the relationship between psoriasis and CAC were retrieved by searching PubMed, Cochrane's Library, and Embase databases. Presence of CAC was confirmed according to an Agatston's Score >0 upon computed tomography examination. A random-effect model incorporating between-study heterogeneity was used to pool the results.

Results

Sixteen studies involving 3,039 patients with psoriasis and 46,191 controls without psoriasis were included in the meta-analysis. All participants were without previously known cardiovascular diseases. Pooled results showed that psoriasis was associated with overall CAC [odds ratio (OR): 1.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-1.91, p < 0.001; I ² = 57%], after matching or adjusting the conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Subgroup analyses showed that study country, comorbidity of psoriatic arthritis, baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and duration of psoriasis (p for subgroup difference all >0.05) did not significantly affect the association of psoriasis and CAC. However, a stronger association was observed in younger patients (mean age <50 years, OR: 2.63, p < 0.001) compared to older patients (≥50 years, OR: 1.24, p = 0.02; p for subgroup difference <0.001).

Conclusion

Psoriasis is associated with CAC, and the association may be stronger in younger patients.

Prevalence and Predictors of Abdominal Aorta Calcification in Patients With Psoriasis—A Case Control Study

Background

Psoriasis is associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Caucasians, but only a few studies from sub-Saharan Africa have investigated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients with psoriasis. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in the general population. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for AAC in a predominantly non-Caucasian cohort of South African patients with psoriasis.

Methods

A cross-sectional case-control study of adult psoriasis patients (n = 69) and controls (n = 80), matched for gender, ethnicity and body mass index, attending tertiary Dermatology and Rheumatology clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical data were recorded. All participants underwent non-contrast abdominal CT scans. Images were assessed for AAC at the supra-coeliac aorta, supra-mesenteric aorta and aortic bifurcation using Horos DICOM viewer software.

Results

Abdominal aortic calcification at any site was more prevalent in the psoriasis than control group (47.8% vs 22.5%, p < 0.005). The aortic bifurcation was the commonest site for AAC in both groups, but more prevalent in the psoriasis group (42.0% vs 21.3%, p < 0.005). The psoriasis group was also more likely to smoke, have hypertension and type 2 diabetes (56.5% vs 25.0%, p < 0.005; 72.0% vs 55.0%, p < 0.005; 24.6% vs 3.80%, p < 0.0005, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, smoking and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes were independently associated with AAC (odds ratio (95% CIs): 1.16 (1.07, 1.20), 4.30 (2.15, 8.61) and 3.45 (1.09, 15.7) respectively), but psoriasis was not. Forward regression analysis demonstrated that smoking attenuated the association of psoriasis with AAC.

Conclusion

Our findings show AAC to be more common in psoriasis patients compared to controls. Age, T2DM and smoking were independent predictors of AAC. Smoking cessation is essential in psoriatic patients to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The clinical utility of AAC detection by CT imaging to risk stratify for hard cardiovascular outcomes needs to be explored.

Related Risk Factors and Treatment Management of Psoriatic Arthritis Complicated With Cardiovascular Disease

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease related to psoriasis (PsO). The risk of PsA patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is significantly higher than that of the general population. At present, the relevant mechanism is not clear, chronic inflammation and traditional cardiovascular risk factors are the most important factors for the increased risk of CVD in PsA patients. Early assessment of the risk of PsA patients with CVD, and active control of the disease activity of PsA patients and intervention of traditional cardiovascular risk factors can delay the progression of CVD risk. This article reviews the epidemiology and pathogenesis between PsA and CVD, and reviews the latest developments in the risk assessment and management of CVD in PsA patients.

Relationship between Psoriasis and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease in 88 Japanese Patients

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease known to affect survival in the presence of cerebral or cardiovascular comorbidities. However, no clear guidelines have been defined regarding the extent of vascular lesion testing that should be performed in patients with psoriasis. We therefore performed coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in 88 Japanese patients with psoriasis who visited Kansai Medical University Hospital between 2015 and 2019 and determined the ankle–brachial pressure index (ABI) for 44 of these patients. CCTA abnormalities were found in 39 of the 88 patients, and a need for treatment was identified in 14 patients. The prevalence of cardiovascular lesions in these patients was 15.9%, significantly higher than that in the healthy Japanese population (6.38% according to the Suita Study). In the 44 patients with results for both ABI and CCTA, the rates of CCTA vascular lesions were significantly higher in cases with ABIs indicating hard vessels or above than in cases with supple, normal, or slightly stiff vessels. This is the first report to show a correlation between CCTA and ABI in psoriasis patients. ABI was considered useful as a preliminary test before CCTA. The univariate analysis of the abnormal and normal CCTA groups showed that the prevalence differed significantly among patients with psoriatic arthritis, erythrodermic psoriasis, older age, pre-existing conditions, drinking, and hypertension. The multivariate analysis showed correlations with arthritic or erythrodermic psoriasis.

Adipokines, Cardiovascular Risk, and Therapeutic Management in Obesity and Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with skin and joint pathology as the dominant characteristics. Scientific evidence supports its systemic nature and relevant relationship with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and associated conditions. Metabolic syndrome and obesity share common signaling pathways with joint inflammation, reinforcing the idea that adipose tissue is a major contributor to disease development and severity. The adipose tissue is not a mere energy store but also an endocrine organ participating in the immune response. In the search for the best therapeutic strategy for a patient, we should appraise the adipose tissue as an endocrine and immune organ responsible for mild chronic inflammation. Today, our challenge is not only to achieve disease remission but to control the associated comorbidities as well. In light of the high prevalence of obesity in psoriatic arthritis patients and the importance of the adipose tissue in the development of chronic inflammation, we aimed to identify the most relevant articles in this regard published in English until June 2020 using the PubMed database. Search terms included psoriatic arthritis, in combination with metabolic syndrome, obesity, adipokines, cardiovascular disease, and treatment. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the role of adipose tissue as an adipokine-secreting endocrine organ, discussing its influence on disease development and severity, and ultimately in meeting successful disease management.

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Responses in the Development and Progression of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease that is thought to be primarily inflammatory in origin. Given the contribution of inflammation to the development and progression of atherosclerosis, other conditions that are characterised by a dysregulated inflammatory response have also been proposed to play a role. The purpose of this review is to organise and present the various inflammatory processes that can affect atherosclerosis into two broad categories: extrinsic or host-independent and intrinsic or host-dependent. Within these two categories, we will discuss various processes that may contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis and the clinical studies describing these associations. Although the clinical trials investigating anti-inflammatory therapies have to date provided mixed results, further studies, particularly in conjunction with lipid-lowering and blood pressure lowering therapies should be considered.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

The increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus has been extensively documented. Sub-clinical atherosclerosis can be assessed using various non-invasive imaging techniques. However, the mechanisms underlying the higher risk of atherosclerotic CVD in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases are not fully known, although they seem to include chronic low-grade systemic inflammation leading to prolonged endothelial activation, accompanied by a pro-thrombotic/pro-coagulant and autoantibody state. Furthermore, sub-clinical atherosclerosis is also influenced by other traditional risk factors for CVD. Including the individual components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS: obesity, impaired glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure), the degree of which is higher in these patients than in controls. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss the CV manifestations and risk factors involved in the increased risk of CVD among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Clinical application of nasal nitric oxide measurement in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) is considered a biomarker of nasal inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regressions on the association between nNO levels and allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were systematically searched. Differences between cases and controls were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Overall, 39 articles were included: 30 containing data on nNO measured by nasal aspiration (1881 patients with AR and 1337 controls) and 12 assessing nNO by nasal exhalation (525 patients with AR and 350 controls). Compared with controls, AR presented significantly higher nNO values both during nasal aspiration (SMD, 1.309; 95% CI, 0.841-1.777; P < .001) and nasal exhalation (SMD, 0.708; 95% CI, 0.303-1.114; P = .001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed that the results for the evaluated outcomes were not affected by the presence of clinical confounding factors (asthma, nasal polyps, inhaled corticosteroids, smoking history), this being valid for both perennial and seasonal diseases during exposure to allergens. For the aspiration method, meta-regressions indicated that older age and a better pulmonary function were associated with a lower difference in nNO levels between patients with AR and controls, whereas an increasing aspiration flow was associated with a high effect size.

CONCLUSION

nNO levels are higher in AR, particularly when using high aspiration flows and in younger patients, who often perceive this condition as a source of disability. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of this biomarker for monitoring airway disorders and optimizing strategies in different settings (community, hospital, rehabilitation).

Nail enthesis ultrasound and automated software-guided assessment of bilateral common carotid intima-media thickness in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: is there a correlation with clinical and laboratory findings?

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound (US) in psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an important tool in several situations to detect joint ecostructural damage as well as other tissue alterations, such as those that occur in the larger vessels. The objective of this study was to detect and correlate the changes that indicate the inflammatory and atherosclerotic process in two groups of patients, using nail US and carotid artery intima-media thickness radiofrequency (RF) software.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients diagnosed with (PsO) and (PsA) were selected. About 15 patients were present in each group, assigned by the Dermatology and Rheumatology Service of the Universidade Pontifícia Católica de Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and were assessed using carotid artery US (radiofrequency quality intima-media thickness [RF-QIMT]), joint US, clinical evaluation, and laboratory tests.

RESULTS

Spearman and Pearson correlations between US variables per group were Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and loss of the nail pattern trilaminar: r=0.658, p=0.015; Framingham Score (FS) and Internal Resistance Index (IR): 0.351 to 0.526, p=0.034 to 0.002; the significant correlations by the Bayesian factor (BF) were those with a BF greater than 2.5, between QIMT expected with FS: r=0.677, BF=10.06, with total cholesterol: r=0.5232, BF=2.60, and QIMT-RF with low density lipoproteins: r=0.633, BF=3.70.

CONCLUSION

The use of US in the evaluation of these patients showed significant correlations between clinical and laboratory measures, characterized by QIMT and FS as well as changes in nail insertion. Future studies may demonstrate an even better interaction.

Role of Carotid Ultrasound and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation Charts for the Cardiovascular Risk Stratification of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The assessment of the cardiovascular (CV) risk is recommended in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the CV risk profile in a cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), to determine the presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease by carotid ultrasound (US), and to study the association of CV disease to PsA characteristics.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional multicentric descriptive study. The clinical CV risk was calculated with Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) charts. Common carotid US was conducted to evaluate the carotid wall intima-media thickness and the presence of atheroma plaques. Patients were reclassified upon US results. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify associations of US carotid abnormalities with the classical CV risk factors and PsA characteristics.

RESULTS

The study included 176 patients with PsA. The SCORE-estimated CV risk was intermediate in 65.3% of the patients. In the US study, 32% of the patients had abnormalities, and 30.8% of the patients were upgraded and reclassified as very high risk owing to the presence of atheroma. Subclinical CV disease was associated with age and dyslipidemia but not with other risk factors. It was associated with axial disease in the subgroup with intermediate risk, and with C-reactive protein levels in patients with high risk.

CONCLUSION

Many patients with PsA have clinical estimated intermediate or high risk of a fatal CV event. A carotid US study detects subclinical vascular disease and may be useful to depict the real risk. The presence of atheroma is only partially explained by the classic CV risk factors.

Usefullnes of atherogenic indices and Ca-LDL level to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis?

BACKGROUND

To investigate the link between carbamylated low-density lipoprotein (ca-LDL), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), atherogenic coefficient (AC), Castelli's risk indices I and II (CRI I and II) and subclinic atherosclerosis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

Thirty-ninepatients and 19 age, sex, body mass index matched healthy controls were included. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed with homeostasis of model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured at both common carotid arteries and mean CIMT was calculated.

RESULTS

The mean age was 49.50 ± 11.86 years and 64.1% were females in PsA group. In the PsA group, CIMT and HOMA-IR were significantly higher (p = 0.003, p = 0.043, respectively). AIP, AC, TG/HDL, CRI-1, CRI-2 and ca-LDL levels were similar between groups. In PsA group, CIMT was positively correlated with HOMA-IR, TG/HDL and AIP. Although ca-LDL was positively correlated with serum amyloid A (r = 0.744, p < 0.001), no correlation was detected between ca-LDL and CIMT (r = 0.215, p = 0.195). PsA patients with IR tended to have higher ca-LDL levels than patients without IR, but this difference lacked statistical significance (33.65 ± 26.94, 28.63 ± 28.06, respectively, p = 0.237).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in CIMT was seen in PsA patients without clinically evident cardiovascular disease or any traditional atherosclerosis risk factors. CIMT was correlated with HOMA-IR, TG/HDL and AIP.

Increased Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Adipocytokine Levels in a Psoriatic Arthritis Cohort

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients according to the most recent definition in a Mediterranean population and to determine its association with biomarkers of inflammation and serum adipocytokine levels.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected on 74 patients with PsA and 82 control subjects. The presence of MetS was determined according to the current "harmonization" definition. Serum adipocytokines were analyzed. Continuous variables were compared by t test and discrete variables by χ test. Multivariate regression models compared the association between the presence of MetS and the blood levels of adipocytokines.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared with the control group: 54.8% versus 36.6%, respectively (P = 0.02; odds ratio, 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-4.69). The main difference between the 2 groups was waist circumference. No association was found between MetS and parameters of articular and skin disease activity or treatment. Leptin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratio were higher in PsA patients compared with control subjects: 83.4 versus 51.7 ng/mL (P = 0.001) and 6.3 × 10 versus 4.1 × 10 (P = 0.015), respectively. There was no significant difference in the adiponectin levels between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of MetS was higher in PsA patients compared with non-PsA control subjects in this Mediterranean population. Clinicians caring for PsA patients ought to be aware of the increased risk of MetS in PsA patients, confirmed in different regions worldwide. The increased MetS seems to be linked to central obesity in these patients, and appropriate treatment recommendations are advised.

Coronary Artery Disease Assessed by Computed Tomography in Patients with Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) but data on coronary calcium score (CCS) and cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

The present study quantitatively summarizes the literature data on the prevalence and burden of CAD in patients with psoriasis compared with controls using CCS and CCTA.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. The search included all studies examining CAD prevalence and burden detected by CCS with or without CCTA in patients with psoriasis without prior CAD compared with controls, between the year 2000 and May 30, 2018.

RESULTS

Fourteen eligible studies provided data on 1,427 patients with psoriasis and 9,670 controls. Pooled data provided the estimated risk ratio (RR) of CAD and weighted mean differences of CCS in psoriasis patients versus controls. Meta-analysis of the prevalence and burden of CCS showed that patients with psoriasis had an increased risk of CAD (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.26; p = 0.004), and for more severe CAD (CCS >100) the risk was further increased (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.28-2.30; p < 0.001) compared with controls. Weighted mean difference for CCS was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis (12.74, 95% CI 10.70-14.78; p < 0.001). The risk of high-risk coronary plaques identified by CCTA was also significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared with controls (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.37-2.28; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with psoriasis have a higher prevalence of subclinical CAD, a higher burden of the disease, and more high-risk coronary plaques compared with controls without psoriasis.

Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy that affects 14%- 30% of patients with skin and/or nail psoriasis, leading to severe physical limitations and disability. It has been included in the group of spondyloarthropathy with which it shares clinical, radiologic, and serologic features in addition to familial and genetic relationship. Beyond skin and joint involvement, psoriatic arthritis is characterized by a high prevalence of extra-articular manifestation and comorbidities, such as autoimmune, infectious and neoplastic diseases. In particular, an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidity has been observed in psoriatic arthritis patients.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in the electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE) up until January 2017. Studies were included if they contained data on CV disease and/or risk factors in PsA and each article was then reviewed for quality and clinical relevance. After completing the literature search all screened literature was summarized and discussed in our study group (CaRDDs study group). All literature and comments were included in the systematic review.

RESULTS

The initial search produced 278 abstracts, which were narrowed to 83 potentially relevant articles by preliminary review of the titles and by excluding review articles and case report (n = 195). Thirty articles were deemed ineligible after examining the abstracts. Full texts of the remaining 53 articles were retrieved. The majority of articles excluded were due to only providing data on patients with psoriasis or due to being not relevant to the CV risk in PsA. In the end, 32 articles were deemed eligible for this review.

CONCLUSION

Psoriatic arthritis appeared significantly associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction and, in turn, with an increased cardiovascular risk. Thus, patients with psoriatic arthritis may benefit from a periodic assessment of surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk. This could help to establish more specific cardiovascular prevention strategies for these patients.

Systemic Inflammatory Response and Atherosclerosis: The Paradigm of Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases

Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Rheumatic diseases (CIRD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), ascribed not only to classical risk factors, but also to the presence of chronic systemic inflammatory response. Αtherosclerosis, the cornerstone of CVD, is known to be accelerated in CIRD; rheumatoid arthritis promotes atheromatosis and associates with preclinical atherosclerosis equivalent to Diabetes Mellitus, which also seems to apply for systemic lupus erythematosus. Data on ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis, albeit more limited, also support an increased CV risk in these patients. The association between inflammation and atherosclerosis, has been thoroughly investigated in the last three decades and the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of atherogenesis has been well established. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress in vascular endothelial cells and macrophage accumulation, toll-like receptor signaling, NLPR-3 formation and subsequent pro-inflammatory cytokine production, such as TNFa, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-like cytokine 1A, are few of the mechanisms implicated in the atherogenic process. Moreover, there is evidence that anti-inflammatory biologic drugs, such as anti-TNF and anti-IL1β agents, can decelerate the atherogenic process, thus setting new therapeutic targets for early and effective disease control and suppression of inflammation, in addition to aggressive management of classical CV risk factors.

Delivering Precision Medicine and Patient-Centred Care Through a Multidisciplinary Approach

The current treatment strategy for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aims to enable physicians to deliver optimal care and to improve the role that patients play in treatment decisions. The multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach integrates the patient’s perspective and sees the discussion of treatment options with both gastroenterologists and surgeons as early as possible. The MDT approach is also vital in managing the risk of IBD and cardiovascular-related comorbidities in patients with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), where selection of appropriate medication may affect both the rheumatic condition and the associated comorbidity. Close interdisciplinary interactions between gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, and/or dermatologists are vital, and the ensuing knowledge transfer facilitates the provision of optimal patient care. Personalised medicine will have a profound impact on future treatment algorithms in IBD and other chronic inflammatory conditions. Owing to the complexity of these diseases, a novel approach is urgently needed that will aggregate data from multiple systems and integrate it into a so-called ‘IBD interactome’. This may help identify and target the key molecular components responsible for inflammation. Future treatment practices will also address the psychosocial aspects of IBD by empowering patients and integrating their perspective into the shared treatment decision-making process early on.

Cardiometabolic Comorbidities in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

There is solid epidemiologic evidence linking psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to cardiovascular risk factors and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Chronic inflammation, with shared pathways and cytokines common to metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and psoriasis, might provide the basis for the cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities of psoriasis and PsA. The purpose of this manuscript is to review recent evidence about the epidemiology and underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease in patients with psoriasis and/or PsA; the use of analytical determinations, physiologic measures and imaging techniques as surrogate biomarkers of atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in these patients; and the epidemiological and clinical data, including results of clinical trials, supporting a cardioprotective role of anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying treatment in psoriasis and PsA.

Treatment strategies for psoriatic arthritis

The therapeutic management of psoriatic arthritis has seen major changes over the last few years, as illustrated by the recent updates of the GRAPPA and EULAR recommendations. These changes were driven by new studies establishing important benefits from early management and tight control of disease activity. The concepts underlying the treatment of psoriatic arthritis must be reappraised in the light of these new data. The objectives of this review are to discuss new concepts, to describe and assess the new drug classes introduced for psoriatic arthritis and, whenever possible, to define the specific indications of each class based on the rheumatic disease phenotype and presence of extraarticular manifestations.

Underestimation of Risk of Carotid Subclinical Atherosclerosis by Cardiovascular Risk Scores in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objective.

To test the performances of established cardiovascular (CV) risk scores in discriminating subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Methods.

These scores were calculated: Framingham risk score (FRS), QRISK2, Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk algorithm (ASCVD) from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)–recommended modified versions (by 1.5 multiplication factor, m-). Carotid intima-media thickness > 0.9 mm and/or the presence of plaque determined by ultrasound were classified as SCA+.

Results.

We recruited 146 patients [49.4 ± 10.2 yrs, male: 90 (61.6%)], of whom 142/137/128/118 patients were eligible to calculate FRS/QRISK2/SCORE/ASCVD. Further, 62 (42.5%) patients were SCA+ and were significantly older, with higher systolic blood pressure and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all p < 0.05). All CV risk scores were significantly higher in patients with SCA+ [FRS: 7.8 (3.9–16.5) vs 2.7 (1.1–7.8), p < 0.001; QRISK2: 5.5 (3.1–10.2) vs 2.9 (1.2–6.3), p < 0.001; SCORE: 1 (0–2) vs 0 (0–1), p < 0.001; ASCVD: 5.6 (2.6–12.4) vs 3.4 (1.4–6.1), p = 0.001]. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test revealed moderate goodness of fit for the 4 CV scores (p ranged from 0.087 to 0.686). However, of the patients with SCA+, those identified as high risk were only 44.1% (by FRS > 10%), 1.8% (QRISK2 > 20%), 10.9% (SCORE > 5%), and 43.6% (ASCVD > 7.5%). By applying the EULAR multiplication factor, 50.8%/14.3%/14.5%/54.5% of the patients with SCA+ were identified as high risk by m-FRS/m-QRISK2/m-SCORE/m-ASCVD, respectively. EULAR modification increased the sensitivity of FRS and ASCVD in discriminating SCA+ from 44% to 51%, and 44% to 55%, respectively.

Conclusion.

All CV risk scores underestimated the SCA+ risk. EULAR–recommended modification improved the sensitivity of FRS and ASCVD only to a moderate level.

Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Comorbidities: Focusing on Severe Vascular Events, Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Implications for Treatment

Psoriasis is a common and chronic inflammatory disease of the skin. It may impair the physical and psychosocial function of patients and lead to decreased quality of life. Traditionally, psoriasis has been regarded as a disease affecting only the skin and joints. More recently, studies have shown that psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder which can be associated with various comorbidities. In particular, psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of developing severe vascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. In addition, the prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors are increased, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Consequently, mortality rates have been found to be increased and life expectancy decreased in patients with psoriasis, as compared to the general population. Various studies have also shown that systemic treatments for psoriasis, including methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, may significantly decrease cardiovascular risk. Mechanistically, the presence of common inflammatory pathways, secretion of adipokines, insulin resistance, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, microparticles, and hypercoagulability may explain the association between psoriasis and cardiometabolic disorders. In this article, we review the evidence regarding the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular comorbidities, focusing on severe vascular events, cardiovascular risk factors and implications for treatment.

Protection from Psoriasis-Related Thrombosis after Inhibition of IL-23 or IL-17A

Psoriasis patients experience chronic systemic skin inflammation and develop cardiovascular comorbidities that shorten their lifespan. Whether cardiovascular disease is improved by treatment with current biologics that target disease-specific pathways is unclear. KC-Tie2 mice develop psoriasiform skin inflammation with increases in IL-23 and IL-17A and proinflammatory monocytosis and neutrophilia that precedes development of carotid artery thrombus formation. To examine whether targeted blockade of IL-23 or IL-17A in KC-Tie2 psoriasis mice improves cardiovascular outcomes, mice were treated systemically for 6 weeks with antibodies targeting IL-17A, IL-17RA, IL-12/23p40, or IL-23p19. Skin inflammation; thrombosis clotting times; and percentage of splenic monocytes, neutrophils, and CD4 T cells were examined. Skin inflammation significantly improved in KC-Tie2 mice treated with each of the antibodies targeting IL-23, IL-17A, or IL-17RA, consistent with clinical efficacy observed in psoriasis patients. The time to occlusive thrombus formation lengthened in these mice and correlated with attenuated acanthosis. This decrease in skin inflammation paralleled decreases in splenic neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6G⁺) but not monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^high) or T cells (CD4⁺). Our data show that targeted inhibition of IL-23 or IL-17A improves psoriasis-like skin disease and also improves cardiovascular disease in mice.

Cardiometabolic Disorders in Psoriatic Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, collectively termed psoriatic disease (PsD), are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The purpose if this manuscript is to review recent evidence about the epidemiology and underlying mechanisms of CVD in psoriatic patients and approaches to improve the management of these comorbidities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies have shown that CVD risk is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and is related to the systemic inflammatory nature of PsD. The use of surrogate markers, such as imaging of subclinical atherosclerosis, allows detection of patients at high cardiovascular risk before the occurrence of clinical events. These modalities could be clinically useful as clinical cardiovascular risk algorithms, such as the Framingham Risk Score, and have been shown to underestimate the actual cardiovascular risk in patients with PsD. Additional challenges related to the management of CVD in psoriatic patients include the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatology, dermatology and primary care setting. Effective measures used to control PsD, such as tumour necrosis factor inhibitors and methotrexate, has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in psoriatic patients. These findings highlight the importance of controlling disease activity as potential target that could lead to reduced cardiovascular risk. Together this highlights the importance of optimization of cardiovascular risk stratification and management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with PsD.

Markers of atherosclerosis in patients with Cushing's syndrome: a meta-analysis of literature studies

BACKGROUND

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in Cushing's syndrome (CS). We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of CS on major markers of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Studies on intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid plaques prevalence, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in CS patients and controls were searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE. Differences between cases and controls were expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for continuous variables, and as Odds Ratio (OR) with 95%CI for dichotomous variables.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies (332 CS, 462 controls) were included. Compared with controls, CS patients showed higher IMT (MD: 0.20 mm; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.28; p < .001), increased prevalence of carotid plaques (OR: 8.85, 95%CI: 4.09, 19.14; p < .001), and lower FMD (MD: -2.65%; 95% CI: -3.65, -1.65; p < .001). Difference in IMT and in the prevalence of carotid plaques was confirmed also in patients with CS remission (MD: 0.24 mm; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.40; p = .005 and OR: 9.88, 95%CI: 2.69, 36.3; p < 0.001, respectively). Regression models showed that age, diabetes, obesity, ACTH-dependent CS, serum and urinary cortisol levels impacted on the observed difference in IMT.

CONCLUSIONS

CS is significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings could help establish more specific CV prevention strategies in this clinical setting. Key messages A series of studies reported an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS). In the present meta-analysis we demonstrated that CS is associated with an increased intima-media thickness, higher prevalence of carotid plaques, and lower flow-mediated dilation as compared with controls. These data consistently suggest the need for a strict monitoring of early signs of subclinical atherosclerosis in CS patients.

Increased prevalence of coronary plaque in patients with psoriatic arthritis without prior diagnosis of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate coronary atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and control subjects using coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

METHODS

Ninety consecutive patients with PsA (male: 56(62.2%); 50.3±11.1 years) were recruited. 240 controls (male: 137(57.1%); 49.6±10.7 years) without known cardiovascular (CV) diseases who underwent CCTA due to chest pain and/or multiple CV risk factors were recruited for comparison.

RESULTS

Patients with PsA and controls were matched in age, gender and traditional CV risk factors (all p>0.2). The prevalence of overall plaque (54(60%)/84(35%), p<0.001), calcified plaque (CP) (29(32%)/40(17%), p=0.002), mixed plaque (MP) (20(22%)/18(8%), p<0.001), non-calcified plaque (NCP) (39(43%)/53(22%), p<0.001) and combined MP/NCP (46(51%)/62(26%), p<0.001) were all significantly higher in patients with PsA. Three-vessel disease was diagnosed in 12(13%) patients with PsA and 7(3%) controls (p<0.001), while obstructive plaques (>50% stenosis) were observed in 8(9%) patients with PsA and 7(3%) controls (p=0.033). After adjusting for traditional CV risk factors, PsA remained an independent explanatory variable for all types of coronary plaques (OR: 2.730 to 4.064, all p<0.001). PsA was also an independent explanatory variable for three-vessel disease (OR: 10.798, p<0.001) and obstructive plaque (3.939, p=0.024). In patients with PsA, disease duration was the only disease-specific characteristic associated with more vulnerable plaques (MP/NCP) in multivariate analysis (1.063, p=0.031). The other independent explanatory variables were age ≥55 years (5.636, p=0.005) and male gender (8.197, p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PsA have increased prevalence, burden and severity of coronary atherosclerosis as documented by CCTA. Longer disease duration was independently associated with the presence of vulnerable MP/NCP plaques in patients with PsA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02232321.

Impact of body weight on the achievement of minimal disease activity in patients with rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

In this study, we evaluated the impact of obesity and/or overweight on the achievement of minimal disease activity (MDA) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving an anti-rheumatic treatment. Obesity can be considered a low-grade, chronic systemic inflammatory disease and some studies suggested that obese patients with rheumatic diseases exhibit a lower rate of low disease activity achievement during treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in major electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase) to identify studies reporting MDA achievement in obese and/or overweight patients with RA or PsA and in normal-weight RA or PsA control subjects. Results were expressed as Odds Ratios (ORs) with pertinent 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CIs).

Results

We included 17 studies (10 on RA and 7 on PsA) comprising a total of 6693 patients (1562 with PsA and 5131 with RA) in the analysis. The MDA achievement rate was significantly lower in obese patients than in normal-weight subjects (OR 0.447, 95% CI 0.346–0.577, p < 0.001, I² = 62.6%, p < 0.001). Similarly, overweight patients showed a significantly lower prevalence of MDA achievement than normal-weight subjects (OR 0.867, 95% CI 0.757–0.994, p = 0.041, I² = 64%, p = 0.007). Interestingly, the effect of obesity on MDA was confirmed when we separately analyzed data on patients with RA and patients with PsA. In contrast, when we evaluated the effect of overweight, our results were confirmed for PsA but not for RA. A meta-regression analysis showed that follow-up duration, age, male sex, and treatment duration are covariates significantly affecting the effect of obesity/overweight on MDA achievement.

Conclusions

The results of our meta-analysis suggest that obesity and overweight reduce the chances to achieve MDA in patients with rheumatic diseases receiving treatment with traditional or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1194-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Disease Activity and Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Objective.

Recent studies indicate increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but results are inconsistent. This prompted our investigation of the mortality rate, cause of death, and incidence of acute CV events in patients from northern Sweden with PsA.

Methods.

Patients with established PsA (464) were included. To calculate standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for CV events, data were extracted from the National Causes of Death Register and the National Inpatient Care Register in Sweden, and compared with the general population. The study period was 1995–2011. To study the effect of inflammatory activity, a composite disease activity index (DAI) was used.

Results.

The SMR (95% CI) for overall mortality and diseases of the circulatory system (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition; I00-I99) was 1.22 (0.89–1.63) and 1.64 (1.02–2.52), respectively. In regression analysis, DAI was significantly associated with death (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.41–2.80) when adjusted for age and sex (p < 0.001), and remained significant after stratifying patients into the 2 major causes of death: diseases of the circulatory system and malignant neoplasms. Peripheral and axial disease was associated with death (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.84–8.84, p < 0.001) compared with peripheral disease only. The SIR (95% CI) for a CV event (myocardial infarction or stroke) was 0.597 (0.40–0.86); this association was only significant in men.

Conclusion.

Patients with PsA had a small but significant increase in SMR for death due to diseases of the circulatory system compared with the general population. Among patients, death was associated with DAI, as well as axial involvement in combination with peripheral disease, indicating more aggressive disease phenotypes.

Carotid plaque and bone density and microarchitecture in psoriatic arthritis: the correlation with soluble ST2

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients have increased risk of both atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. Previous studies revealed that IL-33/ST2 axis may be related to both conditions; however, these associations were never evaluated in a single patients’ group. Here we explored the association among plasma levels of IL-33 and its decoy receptor soluble ST2 (sST2), carotid plaque determined by ultrasound, and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD)/microstructure of distal radius measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in 80 PsA patients (55% male; 53.0 ± 10.1 years). Plasma sST2 levels were significantly higher in 33 (41%) patients with carotid plaques (11.2 ± 4.5 vs 7.7 ± 3.7 ng/ml, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, sST2 was an independent explanatory variable associated with carotid plaques (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: [1.091,1.540]; P = 0.003). After adjustment for the osteoporotic risk factors, sST2 was significantly associated with higher cortical porosity (β = 0.184, [0.042,0.325]; P = 0.012) and cortical pore volume (2.247, [0.434,4.060]; P = 0.016); and had a trend to be associated with lower cortical vBMD (−2.918, [−6.111,0.275]; P = 0.073). IL-33 was not associated with carotid plaque or vBMD/microstructure. In conclusion, plasma sST2 levels were independently correlated with both carotid plaque and compromised cortical vBMD/microstructure in PsA patients. IL-33/ST2 axis may be a link between accelerated atherosclerosis and osteoporosis in PsA.

Association between small dense LDL and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disorder occurring in patients with psoriasis. Several studies have shown an association between Psa and traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. We evaluated the relationship between small dense low-density lipoproteins particles (sd-LDL) a risk marker for atherosclerosis, sub-clinical atherosclerosis and PsA in a group of 50 patients with PsA and in 100 controls. Cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides, insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), Apo B, and sd-LDL have been measured. LDL particle separation was performed and seven LDL subfractions were obtained, LDL score (percentage of sd-LDL) and mean LDL particle size were calculated. PsA patients and control group differ significantly (p < 0.001) in triglycerides values (119.3 ± 52.0 vs 90.7 ± 40.7 mg/dL), Apo B (1.1 ± 0.2 vs 0.9 ± 0.1 g/L), insulin (8.9 ± 4.9 vs 5.8 ± 3.2 mU/L), HOMA (2.2 ± 1.7 vs 1.3 ± 0.8), BMI (27.7 ± 3.3 vs 25.8 ± 3.8). LDL score is significantly higher in PsA as compared to control (9.0 ± 10.7 vs 2.9 ± 4.7 mg/dL); and mean LDL size is significantly lower in PsA than control (268.1 ± 4.6 vs 271.2 ± 2.7 Å). These differences were confirmed when stratifying PsA patients for treatment and for disease activity. LDL score and LDL diameter significantly were correlated with the carotid IMT in patients with PsA. These findings show a novel relationship between LDL score and mean LDL size with PsA diagnosis and with sub-clinical atherosclerosis. Sd-LDL gives potentially useful information in the risk assessment for atherosclerotic disease in PsA patients.

Atherosclerosis in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Multiparametric Analysis Using Imaging Technique and Laboratory Markers of Inflammation and Vascular Function

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Pathogenesis of accelerated atherosclerosis in PsA remains to be elucidated. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) often precedes manifesting atherosclerosis. This study aims to assess carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a marker of atherosclerosis in PsA, in context of markers of inflammation and vascular function. A cross-sectional study was performed in 18 PsA patients who were compared with 18 controls matched for age and sex. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) assessed by AngioDefender (Everist Health, Ann Arbor, MI), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) quantified by flow cytometry and CIMT measured ultrasonographically. Inflammatory measures included disease activity score of 28 joints count and disease activity index in psoriatic arthritis. We also assayed markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α), and endothelial dysfunction, including lipids, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and EPCs. CIMT is significantly higher in PsA patients compared with controls (0.062 ± 0.18 vs. 0.045 ± 0.10 cm, p < 0.01) whereas FMD%, EPCs%, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol are significantly reduced in PsA compared with controls (p < 0.05). Compared with controls, PsA patients had significantly increased concentrations of ESR, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. In PsA, CIMT positively correlated with IL-6 and ICAM-1 and inversely correlated with FMD, HDL, and EPCs (p < 0.05). In PsA, FMD and CIMT were impaired, indicating endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis, respectively. PsA-related inflammatory mechanisms (TNF-α, IL-6) and markers of vascular function (CRP, ICAM-1, and EPCs) may all be involved in the development of vascular disease in PsA. Cytokine-triggered inflammation upregulates expression of adhesion molecules, depletes EPCs with endothelial dysfunction, and increased CIMT in PsA.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We evaluated the differences in major markers of cardiovascular (CV) risk between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and controls by a systematic review and a meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for literature comparing CV risk markers in IBDs and controls. The overall mean carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), flow-mediated dilation (FMD%), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) difference between patients with IBDs and control groups were calculated. Twenty-eight studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 16 studies with data on CIMT, 7 studies reporting FMD%, and 9 studies on cfPWV. Compared to controls, patients with IBDs showed significantly higher CIMT (standardized mean difference [ SMD]: 0.534 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.230 to 0.838; P = .001), significantly lower FMD% ( SMD, -0.721%; 95% CI, -1.020 to -0.421; P < .0001), and significantly increased cfPWV ( SMD, 0.849; 95% CI, 0.589 to 1.110; P < .0001). When analyzing subgroups with ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease (CD), all results were still significant except CIMT in CD. Our findings support the current evidence for an elevated CV burden in patients with IBD and support the clinical utility of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in the management of these patients.

Association Between Psoriasis and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: A Meta-Analysis

The association between psoriasis and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) or impaired flow-mediated dilation (FMD) remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by CIMT and FMD in patients with psoriasis by conducting a meta-analysis.A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP databases up to February 2015. Observational studies investigating CIMT or FMD in patients with psoriasis and controls were eligible. Psoriatic patients and controls were at least age- and sex-matched. Random-effects analysis was used to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between psoriatic patients and controls.A total of 20 studies were identified and analyzed. Meta-analysis showed that psoriatic patients had a significantly thicker CIMT (WMD 0.11 mm; 95% CI 0.08-0.15) and lower FMD (WMD -2.79%; -4.14% to -1.43%) than those in controls. Subgroup analysis indicated that psoriatic arthritis appeared to have less impaired FMD (WMD -2.45%) and thinner CIMT (WMD 0.10 mm). Psoriatic patients with mean age >45 years had much thicker CIMT (WMD 0.13 mm). The impaired FMD (WMD -3.99%) seemed more pronounced in psoriatic patients with mean age <45 years.This meta-analysis suggests that patients with psoriasis are associated with excessive risk of subclinical atherosclerosis. Screening and monitoring CIMT and brachial artery FMD may be recommended to identify a subgroup of psoriatic patients at higher risk for cardiovascular events.

Cardiovascular risk markers in patients with primary aldosteronism: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature studies

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). We performed a meta-analysis on the impact of PA on major markers of CV risk.

METHODS

Studies on the relationship between PA and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), prevalence of carotid plaques, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD), pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases.

RESULTS

12 case-control studies (445 cases, 472 controls) were included. Compared to subjects with essential hypertension (EH), PA patients showed a higher CCA-IMT (MD: 0.12 mm; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.16; P<0.00001), and a higher aortic-PWV (272 cases and 240 controls, MD: 1.39 m/s; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.87; P<0.00001). In contrast, non-significant differences were found in AIx and AIx normalized to a heart rate of 75 beats per minute (AIx@75). When compared to normotensive subjects, PA patients showed significantly higher CCA-IMT (MD: 0.16 mm; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.27; P=0.004), aortic-PWV (MD: 3.74 m/s; 95% CI: 3.43, 4.05; P<0.00001), AIx@75 (MD: 8.59%; 95% CI: 0.69, 16.50; P=0.03), and a significantly lower FMD (MD: -2.52%; 95% CI: -3.64, -1.40; P<0.0001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses substantially confirmed our results. Metaregression models showed that male gender, diabetes, and smoking habit impact on the observed results.

CONCLUSIONS

PA appears significantly associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and CV risk. These findings could help establish more specific CV prevention strategies in this clinical setting.

European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2015 update

BACKGROUND

Since the publication of the European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in 2012, new evidence and new therapeutic agents have emerged. The objective was to update these recommendations.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed regarding pharmacological treatment in PsA. Subsequently, recommendations were formulated based on the evidence and the expert opinion of the 34 Task Force members. Levels of evidence and strengths of recommendations were allocated.

RESULTS

The updated recommendations comprise 5 overarching principles and 10 recommendations, covering pharmacological therapies for PsA from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to conventional synthetic (csDMARD) and biological (bDMARD) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, whatever their mode of action, taking articular and extra-articular manifestations of PsA into account, but focusing on musculoskeletal involvement. The overarching principles address the need for shared decision-making and treatment objectives. The recommendations address csDMARDs as an initial therapy after failure of NSAIDs and local therapy for active disease, followed, if necessary, by a bDMARD or a targeted synthetic DMARD (tsDMARD). The first bDMARD would usually be a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. bDMARDs targeting interleukin (IL)12/23 (ustekinumab) or IL-17 pathways (secukinumab) may be used in patients for whom TNF inhibitors are inappropriate and a tsDMARD such as a phosphodiesterase 4-inhibitor (apremilast) if bDMARDs are inappropriate. If the first bDMARD strategy fails, any other bDMARD or tsDMARD may be used.

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations provide stakeholders with an updated consensus on the pharmacological treatment of PsA and strategies to reach optimal outcomes in PsA, based on a combination of evidence and expert opinion.

Clinical assessment of endothelial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis of literature studies

BACKGROUND

Several studies reported an increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Flow-mediated (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) are considered non-invasive methods to assess endothelial function and surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression of literature studies evaluating the impact of RA on FMD and NMD. Studies evaluating the relationship between RA and markers of CV risk (FMD and NMD) were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE databases. The random-effect method was used for analyses and results were expressed as mean difference (MD).

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies (852 RA patients, 836 controls) were included in the final analysis. In detail, 20 studies with data on FMD (852 cases, 836 controls) and 5 studies with data on NMD (207 cases, 147 controls) were analyzed. Compared to controls, RA patients showed a significantly lower FMD (MD: -2.16%; 95% CI: -3.33, -0.98; P=0.0003), with no differences in NMD (MD: -0.41%; 95% CI: -2.89, 2.06; P=0.74). Interestingly, a lower FMD (MD: -2.00%; 95% CI: -3.20, -0.80; P=0.001) and no differences in NMD (P=0.49) were confirmed when excluding data on patients with early-RA. Meta-regression models showed that a more severe inflammatory status was associated with a more significant impairment in FMD.

CONCLUSIONS

RA patients show impaired FMD, which is currently considered an independent predictor of CV events. The presence of endothelial dysfunction in RA should be taken into account to plan adequate prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches.

Pharmacological treatment of spondyloarthritis: exploring the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biological therapies

Spondyloarthritis represents a heterogeneous group of articular inflammatory diseases that share common genetic, clinical and radiological features. The therapy target of spondyloarthritis relies mainly in improving patients' quality of life, controlling articular inflammation, preventing the structural joints damage and preserving the functional abilities, autonomy and social participation of patients. Among these, traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have been demonstrated to be effective in the management of peripheral arthritis; moreover, in the last decade, biological therapies have improved the approach to spondyloarthritis. In patients with axial spondyloarthritis, tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors are currently the only effective therapy in patients for whom conventional therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has failed. The aim of this review is to summarize the current experience and evidence about the pharmacological approach in spondyloarthritis patients.