Premium
Subclinical cardiac disease in ankylosing spondylitis
Author(s) -
Ozen Selin,
Ozen Anil,
Unal Ertekin U.,
Tufekcioglu Omac,
Ataman Sebnem,
Yalcin Ayse P.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
echocardiography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1540-8175
pISSN - 0742-2822
DOI - 10.1111/echo.14103
Subject(s) - medicine , subclinical infection , ankylosing spondylitis , cardiology , ejection fraction , heart failure
Objectives To investigate aortic stiffness and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 55 AS patients being treated with antitumor necrosis factor alpha (anti– TNF ‐α) biological agents, conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (cs DMARDS ), and non steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs ( NSAID s) and 20 controls matched for conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Aortic stiffness, ejection fraction, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain ( LVGLS ) were evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography and 2D Doppler echocardiography. Results Aortic stiffness was higher in AS patients when compared to controls ( P = 0.009). Stiffness increased in those being treated with cs DMARD s when compared to the control group and those on anti– TNF ‐α biologics ( P ˂0.001). AS patients’ LVGLS values were worse than those of the control group ( P < 0.001) and also worse in patients on cs DMARD s and anti– TNF ‐α biologics when compared to those being treated with NSAID s ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Subclinical cardiac dysfunction occurs in AS patients despite well controlled musculoskeletal disease. Aortic stiffness and LVGLS increases in AS patients. Anti‐ TNF biological agents may somewhat protect arterial compliance. We believe that all AS patients should be investigated for cardiac dysfunction and followed up accordingly.