Decreased Aortic Elasticity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Early Sign of Atherosclerosis and Predictive Factors

Atherosclerosis is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and early diagnosis of vascular disease leads to better outcome. Our aim was to evaluate whether aortic elasticity decreases in the subclinical stage of atherosclerosis in RA patients without any cardiovascular disease and to determine disease-related risk factors.

One hundred fourteen patients with RA, 50 patients with spondyloarthritis, and 50 healthy control were included in this study. Aortic elasticity was evaluated by echocardiography (ECHO). The relationship between atherosclerosis and vascular risk factors, including age, disease activity, C-reactive protein, and serum tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) levels was investigated.

In ECHO evaluation, aortic stiffness was increased (P=.01), and aortic strain and elasticity were decreased (P < .01, P=.01) in RA patients compared to control groups. Serum tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis levels were also significantly lower (P < .01) in RA, but no significant correlation was found with aortic strain measurement (P > .05). Aortic elasticity was shown to decrease significantly with age in all groups (P < .05).

In this study, we observed deterioration of aortic parameters indicating early atherosclerosis in RA. Aging was found to be the single predictive factor for vascular disease. Although a decrease in sTWEAK level was detected in the RA group, no statistically significant relationship could be demonstrated between sTWEAK level and aortic elasticity parameters. However, the cross-sectional design of the study and possible fluctuations in serum markers depending on disease activity make it difficult to draw a clear conclusion on this subject.