Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and disease damage in patients with Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the preventable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MetS on CVD and cumulative organ damage in a multi-center, large cohort of patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK).Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 192 consecutive TAK patients from seven tertiary rheumatology centers in Turkey. Clinical data of TAK patients fulfilling the 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria were collected from medical records. They were evaluated for risk factors of CVD, disease activity, damage, and MetS at their last visits.Results: A total of 192 consecutive TAK patients were included in this study. One hundred and fifty-eight (82%) were female, the mean age was 43.3 ± 13 years, and mean disease duration was 13.5 ± 9.3 years. MetS was detected in 50 (26%) of the patients and CVD was detected in 28 (14.6%). The presence of MetS was detected as an independent risk factor for CVD (P < 0.001). In addition, the mean vasculitis damage index of the group with MetS was significantly higher than in the other patients (4.5 ± 3.3 vs 3.2 ± 2.2, respectively, P = 0.004). Conclusion:The presence of MetS in TAK is associated with increased CVD and disease damage. Awareness and management of MetS can improve disease prognosis in patients with TAK.

Interleukin‐10: Role in arterial wall homeostasis and dampening of inflammation in Takayasu arteritis

“…Takayasu arteritis predisposes to development of cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction due to the disease per se 16 as well as due to accelerated atherosclerosis associated with TAK 17 . In this context, IL‐10 has also been identified as having beneficial effects on vascular biology (Figure 2).…”

“…Targeting the inflammation in the atherosclerotic plaque through IL‐10‐loaded liposomes has been proposed as a therapeutic mechanism for exploration to reduce the burden of the atherosclerotic plaque 26 . It must be noted that patients with TAK are also at an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis 17 …”

“…14 Takayasu arteritis predisposes to development of cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction due to the disease per se 16 as well as due to accelerated atherosclerosis associated with TAK. 17 In this context, IL-10 has also been identified as having beneficial effects on vascular biology (Figure 2). Impaired endothelial vasodilatation linked with increased circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels is associated with dysfunction of both the coronary and systemic circulations.…”

“…26 It must be noted that patients with TAK are also at an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. 17 Interleukin-10 is an anti-inflammatory mediator involved in the reparative processes of TAK following inflammatory arterial wall damage and also favorably affects vascular biology. Much of the focus on ongoing research in TAK has been on the mechanisms driving inflammation in this disease, but targeting inflammation alone has met with suboptimal results in TAK.…”