title: Symmetric Dimethylarginine Is Not Associated with Cumulative Inflammatory Load or Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study.
abstract: Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) indirectly inhibits nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and predicts cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in high-risk patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the associations of cumulative inflammatory burden (assessed by serial measurements of inflammatory markers) and classical cardiovascular (CV) disease risk factors with SDMA in RA patients. 201 RA patients (155 females, median age 67 (59-73)) were assessed at baseline (2006). Classical CV disease risk factors were recorded and systemic inflammation was determined by the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). At follow-up (2012) SDMA levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean SDMA levels in RA population were 0.40 (0.40-0.53) μmol/L. No significant association between SDMA and cumulative inflammatory load was established in the analysis. SDMA levels were not found to be significantly related to CV disease risk factors. We explored the potential relationship between SDMA and cumulative inflammatory burden in patients with RA and obtained negative results. SDMA did not relate to CV disease risk factors in our population and its clinical significance as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with RA remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dimitroulas
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Computer Laboratory, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK ; School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, George Building, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales LL57 2PZ, UK.
authors.forename: Aamer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sandoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jacqueline P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK.
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley DY1 2HQ, UK ; Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kitas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C024917:symmetric dimethylarginine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D001120:Arginine