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Association between arterial stiffness, disease activity and functional impairment in ankylosing spondylitis patients: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Cardiovascular risk is an important factor for increased morbidity and mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The aim of this study is to assess arterial stiffness in relation to the disease activity and functional limitation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Twenty-four patients (mean age 45.8 ± 11.7 years) suffering of ankylosing spondylitis (disease duration 11.1 ± 5.1 years) and 24 gender and age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Clinical, biological, and functional status of ankylosing spondylitis patients was recorded. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis (PWA) was performed using applanation tonometry. We found significant differences between ankylosing spondylitis patients and healthy controls in regard to PWV (p = 0.047), aortic augmentation pressure—AP (p = 0.028), augmentation index—AIx (p = 0.038) and aortic augmentation index adjusted for heart rate—AIx75 (p = 0.011). PWV and AIx75 were significantly associated with the disease functioning score—BASFI (p = 0.012, r = 0.504; p = 0.041, r = 0.421). Aortic AP and augmentation indexes (AIx and AIx75) were all associated to ASDAS score (p = 0.028, r = 0.448; p = 0.005, r = 0.549; p = 0.025, r = 0.455). Our study showed that ankylosing spondylitis patients have a higher arterial stiffness than the age-matched controls, leading to an increased cardiovascular risk. We found that arterial stiffness is positively associated with disease activity and functional impairment. Chronic spondiloarthropaties should be screened for arterial stiffness, even in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, in order to benefit from primary prevention measures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy and Special Motricity, West University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania

    Claudiu Avram

  2. Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania

    Răzvan Gabriel Drăgoi, Mihai Drăgoi & Elena Amaricăi

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania

    Horațiu Popoviciu

  4. Department of Internal Medicine I, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania

    Adina Avram

Authors
  1. Claudiu Avram
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  2. Răzvan Gabriel Drăgoi
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  3. Horațiu Popoviciu
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  4. Mihai Drăgoi
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  5. Adina Avram
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  6. Elena Amaricăi
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Correspondence to Răzvan Gabriel Drăgoi.

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Participation in the study was voluntary. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania, and is in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

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Avram, C., Drăgoi, R.G., Popoviciu, H. et al. Association between arterial stiffness, disease activity and functional impairment in ankylosing spondylitis patients: a cross-sectional study. Clin Rheumatol 35, 2017–2022 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-016-3297-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-016-3297-7

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