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The association of inflammatory markers and echocardiographic parameters in Behçet's disease
Ali Nazmi Çalık1, Kazım Serhan Özcan1, Banu Mesci2
1Department of Cardiology, Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Inflammatory markers pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and homocysteine (Hcy) are linked to cardiac issues in Behçet disease (BD) patients. Echocardiography revealed these markers correlate with heart involvement, indicating potential diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Immunology
Background:
- Behçet disease (BD) is a systemic vasculitis with potential cardiac manifestations.
- Inflammatory markers may play a role in BD-associated cardiac involvement.
- Echocardiography is crucial for assessing cardiac function and structure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between inflammatory markers pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and homocysteine (Hcy) and cardiac involvement in Behçet disease (BD) patients.
- To evaluate echocardiographic parameters as indicators of cardiac involvement in BD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 62 BD patients and 32 healthy controls were studied.
- Serum levels of PTX-3, Hcy, and C-reactive protein were measured.
- Echocardiographic parameters including electromechanical delay (EMD), aortic stiffness index (SI), and elastic modulus (Ep) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Patients with BD exhibited significantly higher levels of PTX-3, Hcy, and C-reactive protein compared to controls.
- BD patients showed prolonged EMD, increased SI and Ep, and decreased aortic dispensibility.
- PTX-3 and Hcy levels correlated significantly with various echocardiographic parameters indicative of cardiac involvement.
Conclusions:
- Elevated PTX-3 and Hcy levels are associated with cardiac involvement in Behçet disease patients.
- These inflammatory markers may serve as potential biomarkers for detecting cardiac complications in BD.
- Echocardiographic findings support the link between inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in BD.
Abstract:
Background: The main objective of the current study is to find out if any association exists between specific inflammatory markers such as homocysteine (Hcy) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and cardiac involvement determined by means of echocardiographic parameters in patients with Behçet disease (BD).Methods: From January 2011 to January 2012, a total of 62 Behçet's patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two healthy subjects constituted the control group. The diagnosis of BD was made as proposed by International Study Group of BD.Results: The mean PTX-3, Hcy, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in patients with BD compared to the control group. The electromechanical delay (EMD) times were found to be prolonged in patients with BD. Also, the aortic stiffness index (SI) and elastic modulus (Ep) were significantly higher, while the aortic dispensibility was significantly lower in patients with BD. The left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, E/A ratio, E/E' septal, IRight-EMD, PA'-ML, PA'-MS, PA'-TL, SI, and Ep were correlated with PTX-3 levels. In addition, the E/A, PA'-ML, PA'-MS, SI, and Ep displayed correlation with Hcy levels in patients having BD.Conclusion: Elevated levels of PTX-3 and Hcy were found to be correlated with cardiac involvement determined by means of echocardiographic parameters in patients with BD.