Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
07:44

Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Published on: July 14, 2023

High-grade C-reactive protein elevation correlates with accelerated atherogenesis in patients with rheumatoid

Miguel A Gonzalez-Gay1, Carlos Gonzalez-Juanatey, Angela Piñeiro

  • 1Divisions of Rheumatology and Cardiology, Hospital Xeral-Calde, Lugo, Spain. miguelaggay@hotmail.com

The Journal of Rheumatology
|July 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, correlate with increased atherosclerosis, as indicated by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) did not show this correlation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk due to atherosclerosis.
  • Increased intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery signifies generalized atherosclerosis.
  • Systemic inflammation in RA may drive atherosclerosis development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) in RA patients.
  • To determine if the magnitude and chronicity of inflammation correlate with atherosclerosis in RA.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of CRP and ESR values in 47 long-term RA patients.
  • Carotid IMT assessed using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound.
  • Patients had active RA but no clinically evident atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • No significant correlation was found between ESR and carotid IMT.
  • A significant correlation was observed between maximum CRP values and carotid IMT (p = 0.009).
  • Patients with higher average CRP levels exhibited greater carotid IMT, indicating a link between inflammation magnitude and atherosclerosis.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms that CRP levels, reflecting inflammatory response magnitude, directly correlate with atherosclerosis presence in RA patients.
  • This highlights CRP as a potential indicator for atherosclerosis risk in RA management.
  • ESR was not found to be a reliable indicator of atherosclerosis in this RA cohort.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management01:20

Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management

AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...