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Several vascular biomarkers predictive of CVD in patients with RA
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Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had carotid plaques, aortic pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness experienced more cardiovascular disease events, according to results.
Researchers performed clinical examination, laboratory tests, blood pressure testing and vascular biomarker measurements among 138 patients (76.1% women) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2007. In 2013, researchers recorded occurrence of cardiovascular events among all patients.
During a mean follow-up of 5.4 years, results showed 7.2% of patients experienced a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event. Researchers found more CVD events among patients with high aortic pulse wave velocity, high augmentation index, high carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques at baseline. According to crude Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, CVD events were predicted by aortic pulse wave velocity, carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques. However, augmentation index was nonsignificant, researchers noted. When adjusting individually for demographic variables, traditional CVD risk factors, RA disease-related variables or medication, results showed the Cox proportional hazard regression estimates for vascular biomarkers were not significantly altered. All patients who had carotid plaques at baseline developed CVD, according to researchers. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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