title: Multiparametric assessment of vascular function and atherosclerosis in patients with autoimmune gastritis: a comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with autoimmune gastritis might have accelerated atherosclerosis due to autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction often precedes manifest atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors of early atherosclerosis by using several different techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 99 patients with autoimmune gastritis were compared to 42 healthy age sex-matched subjects. Patients with a known risk factor for atherosclerosis were excluded. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery were measured. Clinical data and laboratory parameters (serum gastrin, antiparietal cell antibody, anti-Hp IgG, serum vitamin B(12) and lipid profile) were also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intima-media thickness (mm) of the carotid artery was significantly higher in autoimmune gastritis (0.062 ± 0.031 vs. 0.042 ± 0.007, P < 0.001) than in healthy individuals. Flow-mediated dilation was significantly lower in patients with autoimmune gastritis compared to control group (13.91 ± 6.68% vs. 20.37 ± 7.80%, P = 0.021) and there was a significant increase in pulse wave velocity (m/s) in autoimmune gastritis patients compared to controls (9.25 ± 3.42 vs. 6.40 ± 0.91, P = 0.001). Antiparietal cell antibody positivity (P = 0.05), low vitamin B(12) level (P = 0.05), and age (P = 0.002) were the predictors of high pulse wave velocity (>14 m/s).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with autoimmune gastritis may have an increased risk for the development of early atherosclerosis. As early preventive treatment for accelerated atherosclerosis is available, it is important to detect those patients with autoimmune gastritis who would benefit from such treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Ibni Sina Hospital, Ankara University Medical School, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yakut
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ustün
authors.forename: Sim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kutlay
authors.forename: Aydan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ongun
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kabaçam
authors.forename: Recai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boynueğri
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soykan
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*