Relationship of osteoprotegerin to pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is considered an important biomarker in cardiovascular (CV) disease. CV disease is the most common cause of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a consequence of accelerated atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship of serum OPG levels to arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and clinical and laboratory indices in RA patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Included in the study were 68 RA patients with no history or signs of CV disease and 48 healthy subjects Disease activity was assessed by the 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) in RA patients. Serum OPG level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness and CIMT was evaluated by carotid ultrasonography.

RESULTS:

The mean serum OPG level was significantly higher in RA patients than controls (p < 0.001). Mean PWV and CIMT were also significantly increased in RA patients compared to controls (both p < 0.001). In RA patients, serum OPG level was significantly correlated with PWV and CIMT, as well as rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody; but not with DAS28, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), or erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

CONCLUSION:

Serum OPG levels were increased and correlated with CIMT and PWV in RA patients. In addition to PWV and CIMT, OPG may be a useful biomarker for CV risk management in RA patients.

• Authors: M S Beyazal, T Erdoğan, G Devrimsel, A K Türkyılmaz, M C Cüre, M Beyazal, I Sahin
• Journal: Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie (Z Rheumatol) Vol. 75 Issue 7 Pg. 723-8 (Sep 2016) ISSN: 1435-1250 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Beziehung zwischen Osteoprotegerin und Pulswellengeschwindigkeit bzw. Karotis-Intima-Media-Dicke bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis.
• PMID: 26555551 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Osteoprotegerin

Topics

• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (complications, diagnosis, physiopathology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (diagnosis, etiology, physiopathology)
• Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osteoprotegerin (blood)
• Pulse Wave Analysis
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Statistics as Topic
• Vascular Stiffness