Calprotectin (
CPT) is released during
inflammation, also in the context of
atherosclerosis. The link between
CPT and the atherosclerotic process was evaluated in several diseases. However, studies in
axial spondyloarthritis (
axSpA), associated with a high incidence of subclinical
atherosclerosis, are scarce. Therefore, we assessed the association of
CPT with subclinical
atherosclerosis and metabolic risk factors in
axSpA.
CPT serum levels were measured by
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay in 163
axSpA patients and 63 controls. Subclinical
atherosclerosis was determined in patients by carotid ultrasonography (assessing the presence/absence of carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT]). Data on
inflammation, disease activity,
lipid profile and treatment were collected to evaluate its relationship with
CPT.
axSpA patients evidenced lower
CPT levels than controls.
CPT showed no association with plaques or cIMT in
axSpA.
CPT and
HDL-cholesterol negatively correlated, while a positive association of
CPT with the atherogenic index was disclosed. Additionally,
axSpA patients with
C-reactive protein values at diagnosis higher than 3 mg/L displayed higher
CPT levels. Our study shows no relationship between
CPT and markers of subclinical
atherosclerosis in
axSpA. Nevertheless, it demonstrates an association of
CPT with adverse
lipid profiles and inflammatory
biomarkers, which could further influence on the development of
atherosclerosis.