Asymmetric dimethylarginine and arterial stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), as a measure of endothelial dysfunction, are higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy control subjects. The relationships between ADMA and surrogate measures of arterial stiffness were evaluated.


METHODS
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy control subjects were recruited. ADMA was quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Arterial stiffness was evaluated using pulse wave analysis.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in plasma ADMA concentration between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 30). Aortic augmentation pressure was significantly higher in patients than in controls. C-reactive protein and Health Assessment Questionnaire score were independent predictors of arterial stiffness in patients. There was no relationship between ADMA concentration and aortic augmentation pressure in the study population as a whole.


CONCLUSIONS
Arterial stiffness appears to be increased in rheumatoid arthritis and independently associated with systemic inflammation and physical disability. ADMA concentration was not increased in this small group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy controls; nor was it associated with arterial stiffness.
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy e.gianluca@libero.it.
Gian Luca
GL
Erre
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Piras
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Silvia
S
Mura
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Nicola
N
Mundula
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Marco
M
Piras
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Loredana
L
Taras
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Maria Giovanna
MG
Longu
Cardiology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Pier Sergio
PS
Saba
Cardiology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Antonello
A
Ganau
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Ciriaco
C
Carru
Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari and University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Passiu
ADMA; Aortic augmentation pressure; arterial stiffness; asymmetric dimethylarginine; endothelial dysfunction; rheumatoid arthritis
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