title: Serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products levels and aortic augmentation index in early rheumatoid arthritis--a prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed whether a serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product (sRAGE) levels were associated with a progression of carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness indexes in a cohort of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  RA patients with symptoms onset <2 years were recruited. Vascular assessments and serum sRAGE levels were measured at baseline and 1 year later. Arterial stiffness was determined by pulse wave velocity and aortic augmentation index (AIx). Carotid intima-media thickness was measured using high-resolution ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-four patients completed the 1-year study. Fifty-three (56.4%) achieved disease remission [28-joint disease activity score (DAS28 < 2.6)] at 12 months. Improvement in arterial stiffness was observed as reflected by the significant reductions in AIx and pulse wave velocity. At 12 months, the sRAGE levels increased significantly compared with baseline (939.8 ± 517.7 pg/ml to 1272.1 ± 567.3 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Changes in sRAGE levels were significantly higher in men compared to women (768 ± 510 pg/ml versus 271 ± 490 pg/ml, P < 0.05) and was negatively associated with the change in AIx (r = -0.259, P = 0.023). Changes in sRAGE level were not associated with other demographic, clinical, cardiovascular risk factors or treatment. Using multivariate analysis, the change in sRAGE levels and baseline high-density lipoprotein were independent predictors associated with the change in AIx.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial stiffness improved significantly in patients with early RA after effective control of inflammation. Increase in sRAGE level was associated with a decrease in AIx, suggesting that sRAGE may play an important role in the ligand-soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product interaction propagated inflammation and vascular stiffness in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. tamls_813@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Lai-Shan
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: Edmund K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Rui-Jie
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ka-Lai
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ying-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: King-Yee
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Cheuk-Wan
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.forename: Emily W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Kun
authors.forename: Moon-Ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tena K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tracy Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Ricky K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chui
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tseung
authors.forename: Shui-Lian
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Woon-Pang
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Kuan
authors.forename: Cheuk-Man
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate