CLINICAL RESEARCH
Treat-to-target therapy does not prevent excessive progression of carotid intima media thickness during the first year of therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis
 
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Submission date: 2016-05-06
 
 
Acceptance date: 2016-05-13
 
 
Publication date: 2016-05-30
 
 
Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2016;1(1):42-49
 
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Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictors of change in carotid intima-media measures in early rheumatoid arthritis patients (eRA) as compared to chronic RA patients and patients without arthritis.
Material and methods: Fifty-five consecutive eRA patients were assessed at the time of diagnosis and after 1 year of therapy. Fifty-five sex- and age-matched chronic RA patients and 29 patients without inflammatory disease were used as controls. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaques were measured at baseline and after follow-up. In eRA patients ultrasound assessment of hand joints was performed before and after treatment. Carotid artery intima-media thickness was assessed again after 2 years in 44 eRA patients.
Results: Carotid artery intima-media thickness progression after 1 year of therapy was higher in eRA patients compared to both control groups (p = 0.017) and correlated with symptoms duration (p = 0.017) and DMARD monotherapy (p = 0.015). Ultrasound progression of hand joint erosions was associated with longer symptoms duration (p = 0.006). After 2 years of observation CIMT progression was similar in all examined groups.
Conclusions: We observed rapid CIMT progression during the first year of RA therapy. Longer symptoms duration and less aggressive therapy were associated with CIMT increase.
ISSN:2451-0629
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