Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness as a sign of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ıts relationship with disease activity ındices

• Published in: Internal and emergency medicine 2024-06, Vol.19 (4), p.1015-1024
• Main Authors: Keleşoğlu Dinçer, Ayşe Bahar, Şahan, Haluk Furkan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Body fat; C-reactive protein; Cardiovascular disease; Citrulline; Coronary artery disease; Echocardiography; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Heart diseases; Im - Original; Internal Medicine; Joint diseases; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid factor; Risk factors; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1828-0447; 1970-9366; 1970-9366
• DOI: 10.1007/s11739-024-03542-6

Epicardial adipose tissue is a novel cardiometabolic risk factor and indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to evaluate the epicardial adipose tissue thickness in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its association with disease activity scores. A total of 81 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) was measured by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography. Tender and swollen joint counts were recorded at the time of inclusion. The laboratory tests included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, and serum lipid levels. Disease activity was calculated based on Disease Activity Scores for 28 joints (DAS-28) ESR and CRP, the Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI), and the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was significantly higher in the RA patients compared to the healthy controls ( p