Do patients with rheumatoid arthritis have aorta stiffer than general population?

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the aortic stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the aortic stiffness in general population (GP) and to evaluate the determinants of their stiffness. Patients and methods The study group consisted of 80 patients with RA and 71 matched GP. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. Biochemical analyses were conducted for serum using standard laboratory procedures. Results The mean PWV values were 7.687±1.03 versus 7.253±0.97 m/s in the patients with RA and GP, respectively. The average coordination of PWV and RA duration (RAD) variations is present by equation of linear regression: y=7.1309+0.0971x. By multiple regression analysis, C-reactive protein, (βst=0.1096, P=0.0009), RAD (βst=0.0917, P=0.0018), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (βst=−1.0610, P=0.0271), and cholesterol (βst=0.8491, P=0.0350) were independently associated with PWV in the patients with RA. C-reactive protein (βst=0.1057, P=0.0016), triglycerides (βst=0.1730, P=0.0117), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (βst=0.1467, P=0.0206), and cholesterol (βst=0.0305, P=0.0261) were independently associated with PWV in the GP. Conclusion Arterial stiffness was more pronounced in the patients with RA than in the GP. The independent determinants of arterial stiffness in both groups include traditional risk factors. RAD is determinant in patients with RA only.

Keywords

• aortic stiffness
• Doppler ultrasonography
• pulse wave velocity
• rheumatoid arthritis
• traditional risk factors