Preliminary insights into cardiovascular risk and erterial stiffness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis: a comparative study

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Abstract Introduction Chronic inflammation has long been considered as a driving factor for accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatic diseases like Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery can reveal signs of early asymptomatic stage of atherosclerosis. Aim The study aimed to investigate the cardiovascular risk factors and arterial stiffness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared to healthy controls. Patients and Methods: 180 participants, of which 109 with AS, 41 with PsA, and 30 healthy controls, were evaluated; 99 men and 81 women, (mean age 49±20). Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham score, SCORE2, and QRISK3 scales. Biochemical markers (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, ESR, CRP), hypertension, and smoking status were analyzed. Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery, using Aloka Prosound α7, with measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), beta stiffness, augmentation index (AI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), elastic modulus (Ep), and arterial compliance (AC), were analyzed. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-Square tests for categorical variables, and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables. Results All subjects were comparable in terms of age, hypertension, smoking status, lipid indices and risk scores. The ultrasound examination of the carotid artery revealed significant differences in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) between controls and patients with AS (p = 0.013) and PsA (p = 0.005), with elevated values in both patient groups, but no significant difference between AS and PsA (p = 0.370). Beta stiffness was markedly higher in both AS (p < 0.001) and PsA (p < 0.001) patients compared to controls, with no significant disparity between AS and PsA (p = 0.322). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) showed significant increases in AS (p < 0.001) and PsA (p = 0.001) patients compared to controls, but no variation between AS and PsA (p = 0.844). No significant differences were noted in the augmentation index (AI) across groups (p = 0.507). Elastic modulus (Ep) was significantly increased in AS (p < 0.001) and PsA (p = 0.001) patients compared to controls, with no significant difference between AS and PsA (p = 0.740). Arterial compliance (AC) did not show significant differences across groups (p = 0.094). (table.1). Conclusion This study reveals significant increase in parameters of arterial stiffness as a marker of premature atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatic diseases as ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis in comparison with healthy subjects. Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery – indeces of PWV, AI, EP, AC, beta-stiffness, is an easy and accessible method for diagnosing early vascular impairment in rheumatic patients.