Impaired endothelial function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Open Access
- 4 October 2005
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Rheumatology
- Vol. 45 (3), 283-286
- https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/kei145
Abstract
Objective. In recent years, accelerated atherosclerosis and increased risk of cardiovascular events have been described in patients with rheumatic disease, particularly for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the link between inflammation, atherosclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis is controversial. We evaluated the degree of atherosclerosis and endothelial function of ankylosing spondylitis patients ultrasonographically. Methods. Fifty-four patients with ankylosing spondylitis (37 ± 11 yr, 29 males, 25 females) and 31 healthy controls (35 ± 9 yr, 16 males, 15 females) were consecutively enrolled in the study. Serum lipids, creatinine, glucose, and acute-phase proteins were assessed. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were also evaluated. Flow-mediated dilatation and endothelium-independent dilatation of the brachial artery and intima–media thickness of the common carotid artery were measured sonographically. Results. Left, right and averaged intima–media thickness of the common carotid artery did not show a statistically significant difference between the ankylosing spondylitis and control groups. However, flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in the ankylosing spondylitis patients (14.1 ± 6.7 vs 17.6 ± 8%; P = 0.03). Likewise, nitroglycerin-induced dilatation was lower in the patient group, but the difference was not significant (16.4 ± 6.8 vs 19.8 ± 10%; P = 0.07). No correlation was detected between flow-mediated dilatation and age, sex, serum lipids, CRP, ESR, smoking habits and disease activity scores. Intima–media thickness of the common carotid artery was positively correlated with age and BASMI score (r = 0.55, P = 0.00; r = 0.22, P = 0.04, respectively). Conclusion. This study demonstrates impairment of endothelial function in ankylosing spondylitis.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cardiovascular risk parameters in men with ankylosing spondylitis in comparison with non-inflammatory control subjects: relevance of systemic inflammationClinical Science, 2005
- Accelerated atherosclerosis in inflammatory rheumatic diseasesScandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2004
- Accelerated atherosclerosis: An extraarticular feature of rheumatoid arthritis?Arthritis & Rheumatism, 2002
- Is Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Useful in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment?Stroke, 2001
- Noninvasive tests of vascular function and structure: Why and how to perform themAmerican Heart Journal, 2001
- Research Methods in Human Cardiovascular Pharmacology edited by Dr S. Maxwell and Prof. D. Webb Flow‐mediated dilatationBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2000
- Carotid-Artery Intima and Media Thickness as a Risk Factor for Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in Older AdultsNew England Journal of Medicine, 1999
- Mortality and causes of death in 398 patients admitted to hospital with ankylosing spondylitis.Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases, 1993
- Non-invasive detection of endothelial dysfunction in children and adults at risk of atherosclerosisThe Lancet, 1992
- Evaluation of Diagnostic Criteria for Ankylosing SpondylitisArthritis & Rheumatism, 1984