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The Relationship between the complement system and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid

Marta Hernández-Díaz1, Dara Rodríguez-González2, Elena Heras-Recuero3

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Santander, Spain.

Arthritis Research & Therapy
|July 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The complement system is linked to carotid atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Specific complement factors like C3a and C5a correlate with carotid intima media thickness and plaque presence in RA.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients face elevated cardiovascular (CV) event and mortality risks.
  • Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis is a known predictor of CV events in RA.
  • The complement system plays a role in both RA and CV disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between complement system activation and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in RA patients.
  • To explore the relationship between specific complement components and carotid intima media thickness and plaque.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited 430 RA patients for the study.
  • Assessed functional assays of the three complement pathways and measured serum levels of individual complement components.
  • Evaluated subclinical carotid atherosclerosis using ultrasonography and performed multivariable linear regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • C3a and C5a showed significant positive correlations with carotid intima media thickness after multivariable adjustment.
  • Higher levels of C1-inhibitor, properdin, C3, C5, and C5a were independently associated with the presence of carotid plaque.

Conclusions:

  • The study establishes a link between the complement system and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in RA patients.
  • Complement system activation may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in RA.
Abstract

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCardiovascular diseaseCarotid plaqueComplement systemIntima media thicknessRheumatoid arthritis

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