CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 37, no. 2, 2011

Impact of Inflammation on the Onset and Severity of Vascular Disease in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

[Original paper]

DIANA-RODICA TUDORASCU(1), M.E. CIUREA(2), RALUCA CIUREA(3), ANCA ROSU(1), P. TUDORASCU(4), PAULINA CIUREA(1)


(1)
(1)Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova;
(2)Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova;
(3) Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova;
(4)Department of Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova of Rheumatology


Abstract:

Ankylosing spondylitis associates an increase in morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease, existing a defined relationship between cardiovascular diseases and ankylosing spondylitis. Recent studies reported impairment of endothelial function, suggesting that atherosclerosis (ATS) induced by systemic chronic inflammation and altered lipid profile could be responsible of cardiovascular mortality increase. We assessed the role of inflammation in the induction and severity of vascular disease in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. We included 73 patients with no other vascular risk factors and assessed subclinical ATS at common carotid artery, the involvement of aorta, aortic valvular regurgitation and the correlation of these pathological changes with inflammatory status. 21 of the 73 patients (29%) showed different types and degrees of vascular disease which was correlated with pro-inflammatory markers, disease activity and the time from diagnosis. The chronic inflammatory status and other common risk factors are involved in the increase of cardiovascular risk in these patients


Keywords: ankylosing spondylitis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, vascular disease



Corresponding: Diana-Rodica Tudorascu, Md, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Str Petru Rares nr. 4, 200456, Craiova, Dolj, Romania


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.37.02.05 - Download PDF
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