title: Cardiovascular risk profile in patients with spondyloarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The spondyloarthritides (SpA) are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. We studied cardiovascular risk factors in patients with SpA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following risk factors were assessed in SpA patients and healthy controls: smoking, family history of premature ischemic heart disease, obesity, serum lipids, apolipoproteins, urate and carotid intima media thickness (IMT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall 150 patients (73 with ankylosing spondylitis [AS], 71 with psoriatic arthritis [PsA] and six with other SpA types) were included. Generally SpA patients were significantly more often smokers, while PsA patients had greater values of abdominal obesity. AS patients had significantly lower levels of triglyceride, HDL, ApoB, ApoE and Lp(a) and a higher atherogenic index (total cholesterol/HDL). PsA patients had significantly lower levels of HDL, ApoAI and ApoE, an elevated atherogenic index and higher serum urate. In multivariate analysis the atherogenic index was positively associated with SpA across all patient groups independently of smoking and other lipid parameters. Carotid IMT in SpA patients (0.71 mm) was higher than controls (0.63 mm, P=0.017), although after adjusting for smoking this ceased to be significant. Treatment of patients with previously untreated disease resulted in a small but significant decline in ApoB levels at 6 months (P=0.045), which, however, was no longer evident at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spondyloarthritis patients are at a greater cardiovascular risk owing to the higher prevalence of smoking and a higher atherogenic index. PsA patients have more abdominal fat and higher urate levels. Immunosuppressive treatment of SpA produces minor and temporary effects on the lipid profile.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papagoras
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Theodora E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Markatseli
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Clinic, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioanna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saougou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Patras, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Alamanos
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Imaging, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Anastasia K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Zikou
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Voulgari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Kiortsis
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: adrosos@cc.uoi.gr.
authors.forename: Alexandros A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Drosos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Apolipoprotein; Atherogenic index; Cholesterol; Psoriatic arthritis; Spondyloarthritis