Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness and Related Factors in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and related factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to compare the results with those of healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 patients diagnosed with AS based on the modified New York criteria. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and EATT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), AS Quality of Life (ASQoL), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form were used. Functional capacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test (6-MWT). Results: The mean age was 41.67±7.56, and 21 (70%) participants were male in the AS group. The mean disease duration was 10.0 (standard deviation ±7.2) years in the AS group. The mean EATT values were 4.40±1.65 mm and 2.85±1.12 mm in the AS and control groups, respectively (p0.05). Conclusion: EATT values were higher in patients with AS than in those without AS. The factors related to EATT were BMI, ESR, BASFI, BASMI, and the severity of sacroiliitis.

Keywords

• ankylosing spondylitis
• atherosclerosis
• epicardial adipose tissue thickness
• body mass index
• sacroiliitis