Clinical significance of brachial flow‐mediated dilation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. (18th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watanabe, Tsuneo; Takemura, Masao; Sato, Masao; Matsunami, Hidetoshi; Seishima, Mitsuru; Shimizu, Katsuji; Matsuoka, Toshio
• Is Part Of: International journal of rheumatic diseases. Volume 17:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2013-01-18
• Subjects: Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Asia -- Periodicals; Rheumatology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Rheumatic Diseases -- Periodicals; Connective Tissue Diseases -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.723
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.12021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-1841

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="apl12021-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="apl12021-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>This study aimed to clarify whether different anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs can improve endothelial function better than conventional disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in a series of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</p> </sec> <sec id="apl12021-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Twenty‐five patients who met the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised diagnostic criteria for RA were randomly selected for this study. The percentage of brachial flow‐mediated dilation (%FMD) and maximum carotid intima‐media thickness were examined by ultrasonography.</p> </sec> <sec id="apl12021-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The %FMD in the group treated with anti‐TNF therapy was significantly higher than that in the group treated with DMARDs (<italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.001). The %FMD was significantly correlated with anti‐TNF therapy (<italic>r</italic> = 0.684, <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.001) and Disease Activity Score C‐reactive protein (<italic>r</italic> = –0.404, <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that anti‐TNF therapy was significantly associated with %FMD (β = 0.684, <italic>P </italic><<italic> </italic>0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="apl12021-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Anti‐TNF therapy may influence endothelial function more than conventional DMARD therapy. Prospective longitudinal studies examining whether anti‐TNF therapy was able to improve endothelial function are required.</p> </sec> </abstract>