Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Disease Characteristics Are Consistently Associated with Arterial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Arterial properties influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We identified potential determinants of arterial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Relationships of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and RA characteristics with arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), wave reflection (augmentation index, reflected wave pressure, and reflection magnitude), and pressure pulsatility (central systolic and pulse pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplification, and forward wave pressure) were identified in multivariable backward regression models among 177 patients without established CVD (118 white, 32 Asian, 22 black, 5 mixed ancestry).

RESULTS: Recorded characteristics explained 37% (pulse wave velocity) to 71% (reflected wave pressure) of the variability in arterial function. These factors were particularly associated with wave reflection and pressure pulsatility: RA duration (p = 0.04), rheumatoid factor status (p = 0.01 to 0.03), leukocyte counts (p = 0.02 to 0.05), and total cholesterol (p < 0.01 to 0.03). Body mass index (p < 0.01 to 0.02) and insulin resistance (p < 0.01 to 0.01) were related to reduced wave reflection and peripheral pulse pressure. Exercise (p = 0.02) and alcohol consumption (p < 0.01) were associated with increased pulse pressure amplification and decreased peripheral pulse pressure, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibition (p < 0.01) was related to reduced pulse wave velocity, and tetracycline use (p = 0.02) to decreased peripheral pulse pressure.

CONCLUSION: Traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease characteristics are consistently associated with vascular hemodynamic alterations in RA. The relative effect of arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and pressure pulsatility on CVD risk in RA needs further study.