Abstract
IntroductionThe aim of this study was to examine whether the cumulative inflammatory burden is associated with an increase in arterial stiffness in a prospective cohort of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients.MethodsIn total, 72 PsA patients were followed for a median of 6.5 years. Cumulative inflammatory burden was represented by the cumulative averages of repeated measures of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ca-ESR) and C-reactive protein (ca-CRP). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured at the last visit. We also included 47 healthy controls for PWV assessment.ResultsPWV was significantly higher in PsA patients compared with healthy controls after adjustment for age, gender and body weight (1466 ± 29 cm/s versus 1323 ± 38 cm/s, P = 0.008). PsA patients were divided into two groups based on whether their PWV value is ≥1450 cm/s (High PWV group, N = 38) or <1450 cm/s (Low PWV group, N = 34). The High PWV group had a significantly higher ca-ESR (29 (19 to 44) versus 18 (10 to 32) mm/1st hour, P = 0.005) and ca-CRP (0.7 (0.3 to 1.4) versus 0.4 (0.2 to 0.7) mg/dl, P = 0.029). Using regression analysis, high ca-ESR (defined as ≥75th percentile: 37 mm/1st hour) was associated with a higher likelihood of being in the High PWV group (odds ratio (OR): 9.455 (1.939 to 46.093), P = 0.005, adjusted for baseline clinical and cardiovascular risk factors; and 9.111 (1.875 to 44.275), P = 0.006, adjusted for last visit parameters).ConclusionsCumulative inflammatory burden, as reflected by ca-ESR, was associated with increased arterial stiffness in PsA patients even after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the important role of chronic inflammation in accelerating the development of cardiovascular risks in PsA patients.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to examine whether the cumulative inflammatory burden is associated with an increase in arterial stiffness in a prospective cohort of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients
Patients and healthy controls Eighty-two PsA patients who participated in a prior subclinical study of atherosclerosis in PsA [1] were recruited for a pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment between 2012 and 2013
We have demonstrated a significant correlation between ca-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and PWV (P = 0.001) and a marginally significant correlation between cumulative averages of C-reactive protein (CRP) (ca-CRP) and PWV (P = 0.061), suggesting that chronic inflammation may have a causative role in the development of arterial dysfunction in PsA patients
Summary
The aim of this study was to examine whether the cumulative inflammatory burden is associated with an increase in arterial stiffness in a prospective cohort of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with an increased risk of subclinical [1,2], clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) [3] and early cardiovascular (CV) mortality [4]. Chronic inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of subclinical CVD in PsA patients [5,6]. In RA, the average CRP correlates with the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis measured by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) [12]. The average CRP is associated with an increased risk of CV events and mortality in patients with long-standing RA [13]. Whether chronic inflammation can accelerate atherogenesis independently or mediate it via adverse modification of CV risk factors remains uncertain
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
