AB0309 Comparison of Influence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Intmia Media Thickness- Discontinuous Immunosuppressive Treatment is A Strong Predictor of Increased Intima Media Thickness

Background Atherosclerosis is accelerated in both systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is considered as a noninvasive surrogate marker of early atherosclerosis. A meta-analysis suggests that RA might have a stronger effect on carotid IMT than SLE [1]. Only a few studies compared directly IMT in different rheumatic diseases but only carotid IMT was analyzed. Objectives To compare the influence of RA and SLE on carotid and femoral IMT. Methods 68 SLE patients (34 with lupus nephritis- SLE LN+ and 34 without LN- SLE LN-), 68 RA patients and 34 healthy controls were included in the study. All groups were matched for age and body mass index. Males, ever-smokers, patients with diabetes or coronary artery disease were excluded. Disease duration in RA and SLE patients was similar (7.1 vs 6.9 years). IMT of the common carotid artery (cIMT) and superficial femoral artery (fIMT) was determined by B-mode US imaging. Results fIMT was increased in RA (0.419mm, p=0.004), SLE LN+ (0.429mm, p=0.002) and SLE LN- (0.429, p=0.047) compared to controls (0.377mm). Trend towards increased cIMTA was observed in RA, SLE-LN+ and SLE-LN-. No significant differences were found in fIMT and cIMT between RA, SLE LN+ and SLE LN-. Discontinuous (cumulative duration of treatment