Thickened carotid artery intima-media in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with elevated anticardiolipin antibodies

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Y Sherer1, R Gerli, B Gilburd

  • 1Department of Medicine B and Center of Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.

Lupus
|April 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Anticardiolipin antibodies, linked to thrombosis and atherosclerosis, are prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Elevated levels correlate with early atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries of RA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Antiphospholipid antibodies and anti-oxidized LDL (anti-oxLDL) antibodies are implicated in thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
  • Early detection of atherosclerotic changes in RA patients is crucial for cardiovascular risk management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between antiphospholipid antibodies (anticardiolipin, anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I) and anti-oxLDL autoantibodies with early atherosclerotic changes in RA patients.
  • To determine if specific autoantibodies are linked to increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in RA.
  • To assess the clinical relevance of these autoantibodies in the context of RA-related cardiovascular complications.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluated IgG and IgM anticardiolipin, IgG and IgM anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I, and anti-oxLDL autoantibody levels in 82 RA patients.
  • Measured carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) at the common carotid, bifurcation, and internal carotid arteries.
  • Compared IMT in patients with and without elevated autoantibody levels.

Main Results:

  • Elevated IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were found in 21% of RA patients, with 7 having clinically relevant levels.
  • Patients with elevated IgG anticardiolipin antibodies showed significantly increased mean carotid and carotid bifurcation IMT.
  • No significant association was observed between other tested autoantibodies and increased IMT.

Conclusions:

  • Anticardiolipin antibodies are common in RA and are associated with early atherosclerotic changes.
  • Measuring anticardiolipin antibodies in RA patients may help identify individuals at higher risk for atherosclerosis progression and thrombosis.
  • Targeted treatment upon detection of anticardiolipin antibodies could mitigate cardiovascular risks in RA.

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