P8.03 INCREASED ARTERIAL STIFFNESS IN WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH LEVEL OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN

Abstract

Introduction: The elevated level of C reactive protein (CRP) is associated with increased arterial stiffness in general population. However, it is uncertain whether CRP is related to arterial stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: We studied 63 RA women (aged 41.48±10.77 years) with disease activity (DAS28) 5.43±0.93, 31 SLE (aged 37.23±9.09 years), disease activity index (SLEDAI) 18.40±8.17, organ damage index (SLICC) 1.0 (IQR 2.0) and 72 controls (aged 37.42±9.15). Blood tests included serum lipid profile, glucose and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) measurement. The augmentation index (AIx), the measure of systemic arterial stiffness, was assessed by applanation tonometry (Sphygmocor v.7.01, AtCor Medical). Results: In RA patients CRP (mg/l) was significantly higher as compared to SLE and controls (31.89±40.44 vs. 5.80±5.56 vs. 1.64±3.18; p<0.001), but it was not related to AIx. AIx was 24.71±11.52% in RA vs. 20.81±12.29% in SLE and 13.24±10.44% in controls; p<0.001. Significant influence of mean blood pressure (MBP) on arterial stiffness (AIx) was observed in RA patients (r2adj.=0.365; p<0.001). In SLE patients MBP, SLICC and age were significant predictors of AIx (r2adj.=0.508; p<0.001). Conclusion: Elevated CRP is present in RA and SLE, but it is not related to increased systemic arterial stiffness. Significant influence of MBP on arterial stiffness (AIx) was observed in RA patients. In SLE patients MBP, SLICC and age were related to increased AIx.