Myocardial Perfusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Associations with Traditional Risk Factors and Novel Biomarkers

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Bernardes, M (Author) Other; Vieira, TS (Author) Other; Martins, MJ (Author) FMUP; Lucas, R (Author) FMUP; Costa, L (Author) Other; Pereira, JG (Author) Other; Ventura, F (Author) Other; Martins, E (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: BioMed Research International

Vol. 2017

Pages: 1-9

ISSN: 2314-6133

Publisher: Hindawi

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-SFR

DOI: 10.1155/2017/6509754

Abstract (EN): Introduction. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Novel biomarkers [B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP); osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) ratio; and dickkopf-1 (DKK-1)] have been used in CV risk assessment. We analysed, in established RA patients, the presence of silent myocardial ischemia and its association with clinical variables, BNP, and bone and atheroma biomarkers. Methods. From a single-center tertiary referral hospital, RA patients asymptomatic for CV disease were submitted to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) under adenosine stress and biomarkers measurements. Logistic regression was used to estimate crude odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. In 189 patients, perfusion defects were frequent (25%) and associated with BNP >= 100 pg/mL (OR = 5.68; 95% CI: 2.038-15.830), fourth log OPG/RANKL ratio quartile (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.091-7.622), and DKK-1 = 133 pmol/L (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.058-6.840). Similar associations were confirmed in those with C-reactive protein > or <= 3 mg/L. No relationship was found with the majority of traditional CV factors nor with disease variables. Conclusions. Our results corroborated the hypothesis that MPS could reveal subclinical CV dysfunction, supported the utility of BNP measurements as a screening tool, and put in perspective the potential usefulness of complementary approaches in CV risk assessment in RA patients.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9