Abstract
Objectives: To decipher whether inflammatory parameters and markers of cardiovascular risk factors are associated with hypertension in Indian Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. Methods: We compared the inflammatory markers like (serum C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, homocysteine and leptin concentrations in RA patients with (n = 50) and without hypertension (n = 50). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or treatment with antihypertensive therapy. Results: Hypertensive patients were significantly older and had longer disease duration than those without hypertension (both P < 0.001). Concentrations of homocysteine were significantly higher in hypertensive patients (P < 0.001) in comparison to the control population. After adjustment for age, sex, race, smoking, body mass index, and corticosteroid and NSAID use, increased concentrations of homocysteine and leptin were significantly associated with hypertension, but IL-6, CRP, TNF-α and IL-8 were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Hypertension in Indian Rheumatoid Arthritis patients is not associated with inflammation, but is associated with increasing concentrations of homocysteine and leptin.
Published Version
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