Predictors of hypertension in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Aim. To determine the set of significant risk factors for arterial hypertension (AH) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Material and methods. The study included two groups of patients with RA: group 1 — women with AH (n=162), group 2 women without AH (n=61). Clinical, laboratory, instrumental examination of patients and determination of risk factors (RF) for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in RA were provided according to Association of Rheumatologists of Russia (ARR 2017) and the Russian Society of Cardiology (RSC, 2017) guidelines. Salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) was studied with R. J. Henkin’s modified method. The analysis of the internal body fluids was made with bioimpedance analysis. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with MDRD equation (K/DOQI, 2002). Statistical data were obtained with “Statistica 10” software. Logit regression analysis was used to identify the correlation between RF and AH.Results. The predictors of AH in RA were: age over 55 years (p=0,001), early menopause (p=0,001), increased total blood cholesterol (р=0,001), prednisolone intake more than 10 mg/day (p=0,001), early family history of CVD (p=0,01), decreased GFR less than 60 ml/min/1,73 m. (p=0,01), high STST (p=0,01), unbalanced nutrition (p=0,01), pregnancy pathology (p=0,01), high activity of the inflammatory process (p=0,01), psychosocial factors (stress, anxiety, depression) (p=0,01), obesity (p=0,01), duration of RA more than 10 years (p=0,01). There were 2 times more salt-sensitive patients among women with RA and AH than those with RA and without AH (87 and 48%, respectively). Increased fluid in the body was observed with decreased natriuresis; it implied the presence of volume-dependent hypertension (VDH).Conclusion. The study demonstrated the significance of determining the set of predictors such as cardiometabolic, gender, psychosocial, disease-mediated, renal ones. The importance of STST in RA is evident. The information about AH predictors allows to create individual recommendations to correct modifiable RF and prescribe therapy for women with RA. The conducted research will enable to optimize the follow-up process of the patients and reduce the mortality from cardiovascular complications.