Cardiovascular risk factors related to arterial stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in low disease activity

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with the chronic inflammatory state.

Objective

The objective was to describe arterial stiffness in RA patients with low disease activity and its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors.

Materials and methods

Case series study. Consecutive inclusion of patients with RA in low disease activity. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data, and disease activity score-28 were captured. Arterial stiffness [pulse wave velocity (PWV), oscillometric method] was assessed. Univariate and bivariate analyses, correlations (Rho Spearman), and principal component analysis.

Results

52 patients (76.9% women) were included. Median age 57 years (interquartile range-IQR 9). Median disease activity score-28 (DAS28) 2.6 (IQR-1.3), low activity. Mean PWV 8.45 (Standard deviation 3.1) m/sec. PWV in patients treated with methotrexate was lower (p = .013). Age was correlated with PWV (p = .006). Aortic augmentation index was higher in women (p = .015) and in patients with familial autoimmunity (p = .05). Framingham cardiovascular risk score correlated with pulse pressures. The number of cups of coffee consumed was correlated (inversely) with the aortic augmentation index (p = .042). Principal component analysis (4 components) explained 70.1% of the variance.

Conclusions

PWV levels in patients with RA in low disease activity were similar to those reported in the population without RA. Despite not being elevated, they correlate with traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors (methotrexate, familial autoimmunity, coffee consumption).