Subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis patients of the Gulf Cooperated Council

OBJECTIVES: To assess the existence of subclinical atherosclerosis in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in comparison to age, gender and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors matched controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, 100 RA patients and 150 age, gender and CVD risk factors matched controls were recruited between June 2019 and December 2019. Detailed history, physical examination, and ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries for the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and for the presence of atheroma, had been carried out. Differences between RA and controls carotid structural changes were carried out using t-test and Chi-test. RESULTS: Patients with RA showed more sub-clinical atherosclerosis with thicker cIMT at 0.60±1.4 versus 0.56±0.09 mm, (p=0.03). cIMT is a surrogate marker for the presence of atherosclerosis and a predictor for the cardiovascular disease progression. Rheumatoid arthritis patients had more carotid atherosclerotic plaque; 21 (21%) patients versus 6 (4%) healthy controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Subclinical atherosclerosis is more prevalent among RA patients of the GCC than the control participants.