Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
04:50

Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain

Published on: May 16, 2025

674

An exploratory cross-sectional study of subclinical vascular damage in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica

Rossana Scrivo1, Valeria Silvestri2, Francesco Ciciarello3

  • 1Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Rheumatology Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy. rossana.scrivo@uniroma1.it.

Scientific Reports
|July 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients exhibit increased subclinical vascular damage, including thicker carotid arteries and stiffer aortas, compared to individuals with major cardiovascular risk factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted cardiovascular prevention strategies in PMR populations.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiovascular Disease

Background:

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory condition that can affect cardiovascular health.
  • Subclinical vascular damage may precede overt cardiovascular events in inflammatory diseases.
  • Major cardiovascular risk factors (MCVRF) are common in the general population and in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and extent of subclinical vascular damage in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
  • To compare vascular parameters between PMR patients and a control group with major cardiovascular risk factors (MCVRF).
  • To explore the relationship between vascular damage markers and adipocytokine levels in PMR.

Main Methods:

  • Color Doppler ultrasound was used to assess common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), anterior-posterior abdominal aortic diameter (APAD), and carotid artery stenosis.
  • Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured to evaluate arterial stiffness and peripheral arterial disease, respectively.
  • Serum levels of adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, and resistin, were quantified.

Main Results:

  • PMR patients showed significantly increased IMT, CAVI, and APAD compared to controls with MCVRF.
  • No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis or ABI values between the groups.
  • Higher serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were found in PMR patients compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica is associated with increased subclinical vascular damage, suggesting a potential link between systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis.
  • The findings support the need for further research into primary cardiovascular prevention strategies for patients with PMR.
  • Elevated adiponectin and leptin levels in PMR may contribute to the observed vascular dysfunction.

More Related Videos

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

16.7K
Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.3K

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...
310
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
341
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
235
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...
297
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...
130
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management01:21

Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
181