Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in rheumatoid arthritis patients

ABSTRACT

To measure the intima-media thickness [IMT] of the common carotid artery [as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis] and to evaluate the factors associated with arterial wall thickness in RA patients. We used an accurate and reliable imaging technique, high-resolution B-mode ultrasound, to compare common carotid artery [CCA] intima-media wall thickness [IMT] in 40 RA patients and 40 controls. The apparently healthy subjects were comparable with the RA patients as regards the risk factors for atherosclerosis, including age, sex, menopause status, body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, and serum lipid levels. We investigated the association between [IMT] of the [CCA] in RA and clinical and therapeutic variables. The mean level of IMT of the CCA showed a statistically highly significant increase [p<0.001] in RA patients as compared to controls. There were statistically significant correlations [p<0.05] between IMT of the CCA in RA and disease related variables; duration of morning stiffness, articular index, grip strength, ESR, hemoglobin level, pain severity and rheumatoid factor. Highly statistically significant correlations [p<0.001] were found in relation to age, disease duration, spread severity index, Larsen score, HAQ and CRP. Insignificant correlations [p>0.05] were found between IMT of the CCA in RA patients and sex, B.M.I, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile and drug treatment. RA patients exhibited greater thickness of the common carotid artery than healthy controls, so RA patients have an ultrasonic marker of early atherosclerosis. The age, disease duration, disease activity and severity, decreased physical activity, but not therapeutic variables, were associated with the increased arterial wall thickness