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Ambulatory arterial stiffness index and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive rheumatoid patients: a comparative cross- sectional study

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. However, little is known about preclinical atherosclerosis in hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the expression of preclinical atherosclerosis in hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis patients in comparison with matched hypertensive non-rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods: The study included 52 hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis patients and 42 hypertensive non-rheumatoid arthritis patients. The patients were extensively examined clinically and laboratory tested. The expression of preclinical atherosclerosis was estimated by assessing ambulatory arterial stiffness index and common carotid intima-media thickness. Results: Arterial stiffness index and common carotid intima-media thickness were higher in hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis patients than in hypertensive non-rheumatoid arthritis patients. There was no correlation between arterial stiffness index and common carotid intima-media thickness with markers of inflammation and disease activity in hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis patients. Conclusion: The expression of subclinical atherosclerosis is more pronounced in hypertensive rheumatoid arthritis than in hypertensive non- rheumatoid arthritis patients.

arterial hypertension ; arterial stiffness ; atherosclerosis ; carotid intima-media thickness ; rheumatoid arthritis

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