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Cardiometabolic risk and subclinical vascular damage assessment in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a challenge

Simone Barsotti1, Chiara Saponaro2, Melania Gaggini2

  • 1Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, and Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Italy. simone.barsotti.pisa@gmail.com.

Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|April 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies patients have increased cardiovascular disease risk, indicated by higher carotid diameter and advanced glycation end products. These novel markers predict risk independently of disease activity, suggesting proactive cardiovascular assessment is crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are associated with high cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence.
  • Traditional CVD risk factors do not fully explain this increased risk in IIM patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel CVD risk markers, specifically carotid arterial parameters and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), in IIM patients.
  • To determine if these markers better predict CVD risk in IIM compared to traditional factors.

Main Methods:

  • 43 IIM patients and 29 controls underwent clinical evaluation, disease activity assessment, and non-invasive measurements.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), mean arterial diameter (mAD), and distensibility were measured using ultrasound.
  • Skin AGEs accumulation was assessed by autofluorescence (AF); body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Main Results:

  • IIM patients exhibited higher carotid mAD, increased skin AF, lower fat-free mass, and larger waist circumference than controls.
  • Normal carotid IMT and distensibility were observed in IIM patients.
  • Significant correlations were found between AF and mAD, carotid distension, and IMT.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormalities in carotid diameter and AGEs suggest increased CVD risk in IIM patients, independent of disease activity.
  • Routine assessment for CVD risk is recommended for IIM patients, even without overt clinical signs of disease.
Abstract

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