AB0223 Atherosclerotic plaques may be correlating with the duration of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is widely accepted that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased mortality and morbidity from premature cardiovascular disease. Up to 50% of this excess mortality is secondary to ischaemic heart disease closely followed by cerebrovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in arterial wall elastic properties, intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation with relation to age, disease duration and inflammation markers in patients with RA in order to detect and estimate cerebrovascular risk factors. Methods METHODS. 20 patients with confirmed RA and 27 sex and age matched healthy controls (aged 27-70) were recruited. Carotid arteries haemodynamic parameters, elastic properties, IMT and plaques were measured using high resolution B-mode, M-mode and Doppler–mode ultrasound to calculate arterial wall distensibility and stiffness indices, blood flow velocities and resistance indices, maximal IMT, size of atherosclerotic plaques. Subjects with arterial hypertension and smoking had been excluded from trial. C-reactive protein was used to measure systemic inflammation. The correlations between brachial arterial blood pressure, carotid haemodynamic, wall elastic indices and patients age, stage of disease, inflammation markers were calculated separately and in comparison with controls. Results RESULTS. Statistically, patients with RA had mean values of IMT higher than healthy subjects (+-SD 1,02+-0,21 vs 0,85+-0,22, t=2,45, p=0,19; sin 1,01+-0,28 vs. 0,82+-0,19, t=2,47, p=0,18). This difference was more pronounced in a group of thirty-year. No statistically proved correlations between carotid stiffness parameters, IMT and duration of disease was found. The presence of carotid plaque correlated with the period of rheumatoid arthritis and markers of RA seropositivity - RF and anti CCP, although the changes in IMT and carotid elastic indices did not differ significantly according to seropositivity. These preliminary observations can indicate the need of further investigation with the recruitment of larger number of patients with RA to prove the role of systemic inflammation in the atherosclerotic process. Conclusions The presence of carotid plaque correlated with the period of rheumatoid arthritis and markers of RA seropositivity - RF and anti CCP, although the changes in IMT and carotid elastic indices did not differ significantly according to seropositivity Disclosure of Interest None Declared