Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Robertha Baccaro Biondi1, Pericles Sidnei Salmazo1, Silméia Garcia Zanati Bazan1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Botucatu Medical School at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Insights
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of atherosclerosis. This study found increased carotid intima-media thickness and plaque in IBD patients, indicating elevated cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to chronic inflammation, a key factor in atherogenesis.
- IBD patients face an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cardiovascular risk in IBD patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate atherosclerosis markers in IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- 52 IBD outpatients and 37 healthy controls were analyzed.
- Cardiovascular risk assessed using Framingham score and carotid ultrasonography (intima-media thickness, plaque).
- Multivariate logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.
Main Results:
- IBD patients showed higher fasting glucose, carotid intima-media thickness, and carotid atherosclerotic plaque.
- No significant differences in age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, or Framingham risk score were found.
- IBD patients had a 6.45-fold increased risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque.
Conclusions:
- Patients with IBD exhibit a heightened risk for atherosclerosis.
- This increased atherosclerosis risk in IBD patients contributes to a greater likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients present a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to the presence of chronic inflammation, which plays an essential role in atherogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk between patients with IBD and healthy control individuals.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 52 consecutive IBD outpatients from a tertiary hospital and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. Data collected included age, sex, smoking status, presence of comorbidities, disease activity, ongoing medical treatment, body mass index, arterial blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk. The cardiovascular risk was based on the Framingham risk score and ultrasonography variables, such as the carotid intima-media thickness and the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid. Multivariate logistic regression or multiple linear regression analysis was performed at a significance level of 5%.
Results:
No differences were observed between groups with regard to age, sex, smoking status, comorbidities, blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile, and Framingham risk score. In the IBD group, fasting glucose [95 (86.2-107.3) mg/dL vs 86 (79-100) mg/dL, p=0.041], carotid intima-media thickness (0.69±0.12 mm vs 0.63±0.12 mm, p=0.031), and atherosclerotic carotid plaque (25% vs 5.4%, p=0.032) were higher compared with those in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with IBD presented a 6.45-fold higher risk of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (odds ratio: 6.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.035-40.216; p<0.046).
Conclusion:
Patients with IBD are at an increased risk of atherosclerosis and, consequently, an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.
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