[Endothelial dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].
OBJECTIVE
There is an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Endothelial dysfunction is an early step in atherogenesis that is related to insulin resistance (IR). Our objective was to determine the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and IR in RA patients. The presence of other cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and their relationship with endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory markers was also evaluated.


METHODS
Twenty RA patients without cardiovascular disease were studied. CVRF, treatments, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, clinical disease activity (DAS28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, reactive C protein, lipid profile, homocysteine and insulin resistance (QUICKI) were determined. Endothelial function was measured by laser-doppler.


RESULTS
We observed a positive correlation between the QUICKI index and microvascular endothelial function. We did not observe any relationship between endothelial function and inflammatory or clinical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
In our population, the presence of IR in AR patients is associated with the development of endothelial dysfunction rather than with the degree of inflammatory response.
Cortés Rodríguez
Begoña
B
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14005 Córdoba, Spain.
Fernández de la Puebla Giménez
Rafael Angel
RA
Morote Ibarrola
Guadalupe
G
Caballero Villarraso
Javier
J
López Miranda
José
J
Pérez-Jiménez
Francisco
F
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein