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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis
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An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

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Cardiovascular diseases and their associations with lipid parameters and endothelial dysfunction in giant cell

Philipp Jud1, Franz Hafner2, Andreas Meinitzer3

  • 1Internal Medicine, Medizinische Universitat Graz, Graz, Austria philipp.jud@medunigraz.at.

RMD Open
|September 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) patients face elevated cardiovascular disease risks due to poor lipid management and statin underuse. Improved preventive strategies are crucial for reducing cardiovascular events in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and lipid metabolism abnormalities.
  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a significant concern in GCA patients, yet preventive strategies require optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and the prevalence and development of CVD in GCA patients.
  • To assess cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in GCA patients compared to controls.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving 138 GCA patients and 100 controls, with evaluations in 2012 and follow-up in 2020.
  • Measurements included prevalent CVD, lipid profiles, intima-media thickness, arterial stiffness, and asymmetric/symmetric dimethylarginine.
  • Cardiovascular events, mortality, and relapse data were collected via chart review.

Main Results:

  • GCA patients exhibited higher prevalent carotid and vertebral artery disease and elevated levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and other lipoproteins compared to controls.
  • GCA patients less frequently achieved target LDL levels and experienced more new cardiovascular events during follow-up.
  • Statin treatment correlated with reduced asymmetric dimethylarginine, monocytes, and C-reactive protein; GCA relapse independently increased future CVD risk.

Conclusions:

  • GCA patients face a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, often with suboptimal lipid management and underuse of statins.
  • There is a critical need to enhance preventive strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risk in the GCA population.
  • Addressing lipid abnormalities and ensuring guideline-adherent statin use are essential for improving outcomes in GCA patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCardiovascular DiseasesGiant Cell ArteritisLipids

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