title: Rosuvastatin improves endothelial function in patients with inflammatory joint diseases, longitudinal associations with atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis: results from the RORA-AS statin intervention study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelial dysfunction is an early step in the atherosclerotic process and can be quantified by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Our aim was to investigate the effect of long-term rosuvastatin therapy on endothelial function in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) with established atherosclerosis. Furthermore, to evaluate correlations between change in FMD (ΔFMD) and change in carotid plaque (CP) height, arterial stiffness [aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and augmentation index (AIx)], lipids, disease activity and inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-five statin-naïve patients with IJD and ultrasound-verified CP (rheumatoid arthritis: n = 53, ankylosing spondylitis: n = 24, psoriatic arthritis: n = 8) received rosuvastatin treatment for 18 months. Paired-samples t tests were used to assess ΔFMD from baseline to study end. Linear regression models were applied to evaluate correlations between ∆FMD and cardiovascular risk factors, rheumatic disease variables and medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ± SD FMD was significantly improved from 7.10 ± 3.14 % at baseline to 8.70 ± 2.98 % at study end (p < 0.001). Improvement in AIx (p < 0.05) and CP height reduction (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with ΔFMD (dependent variable).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term lipid lowering with rosuvastatin improved endothelial function in IJD patients with established atherosclerotic disease. Reduced arterial stiffness and CP regression were longitudinally correlated with the improvement in endothelial function measured by FMD.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01389388 . Registered 16 April 2010.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway. eirik.ikdahl@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ikdahl
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Investigations, Oslo University Hospital Aker, P.O. Box 0424, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway. jonny.hisdal@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Jonny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hisdal
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway. s.c.h.rollefstad@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rollefstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway. inge.christoffer.olsen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Inge C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway. t.k.kvien@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Tore K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kvien
authors.affiliation: Centre of Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Kirkeveien 166, 0450, Oslo, Norway. t.r.pedersen@medisin.uio.no.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078, Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway. t.r.pedersen@medisin.uio.no.
authors.forename: Terje R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardio-Rheuma Clinic, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway. a-semb@diakonsyk.no.
authors.forename: Anne Grete
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Semb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium