Endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima–media thickness in patients with spondyloarthritis without traditional cardiovascular risk factors

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to assess subclinical atherosclerosis in spondyloarthritis (SpA) by combining three ultrasound methods (flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)) and to determine the predictive factors of theses parameters.MethodsThis was a case control study conducted over 12 months including 47 patients with SpA-free-cardiovascular (CV) disease in comparison with age and sex matched 47 healthy controls. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological features as well as therapeutic modalities were recorded in our patients. All subjects had Doppler ultrasound with measurement of cIMT, FMD and ABI. Ultrasound measurements were compared between patients and controls. Linear regression was performed and assessed by machine learning to determine the predictive models of markers of subclinical atherosclerosis.ResultsWe found higher cIMT (p