Progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: Comparison with participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Cecilia P. Chung, Jon T. Giles, Richard A. Kronmal, Wendy S. Post, Allan C. Gelber, Michelle Petri, Moyses Szklo, Robert Detrano, Matthew J. Budoff, Roger S. Blumenthal, Pamela Ouyang, David Bush, Joan M. Bathon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: In cross-sectional studies, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) than controls. However, their rate of progression of CAC and the predictors of CAC progression have heretofore remained unknown.Methods: Incidence and progression of CAC were compared in 155 patients with RA and 835 control participants. The association of demographic characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, RA disease characteristics and selected inflammatory markers with incidence and progression of CAC were evaluated.Results: The incidence rate of newly detected CAC was 8.2/100 person-years in RA and 7.3/100 person-years in non-RA control subjects [IRR 1.1 (0.7-1.8)]. RA patients who developed newly detectable CAC were older (59±7 vs. 55±6 years old, p=0.03), had higher triglyceride levels (137±86 vs. 97±60 mg/dL, p=0.03), and higher systolic blood pressure (129±17 vs. 117±15 mm Hg, p=0.01) compared to those who did not develop incident CAC. Differences in blood pressure and triglyceride levels remained significant after adjustment for age (p<=0.05). RA patients with any CAC at baseline had a median rate of yearly progression of 21 (7-62) compared to 21 (5-70) Agatston units in controls. No statistical differences between RA progressors and RA non-progressors were observed for inflammatory markers or for RA disease characteristics.Conclusions: The incidence and progression of CAC did not differ between RA and non-RA participants. In patients with RA, incident CAC was associated with older age, higher triglyceride levels, and higher blood pressure, but not with inflammatory markers or RA disease characteristics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberR134
JournalArthritis Research and Therapy
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 25 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: Comparison with participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this