AB0229 Serum Concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Serum and Ultrasound Score of 7 Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

BackgroundThe major angiogenic mediator in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which correlates with disease activity. High frecuency ultrasonography and power Doppler are sensitive tools for evaluate synovial vascularization.ObjectivesTo evaluate correlation of DAS28-CRP, VEGF and German ultrasound score of 7 joints (GUS7).MethodsWe included 29 RA patients, 8 patients in remission, 3 with mild activity, 14 with moderate activity and 4 with severe activity. Clinical evaluation included DAS28-CRP assessment and serum VEGF levels by ELISA where obtained; 48 hours after the GUS7 was realized with a Esaote MyLab 25 device with a 18 MHz linear transducer in the dominants hand and foot; synovitis grayscale and power Doppler signal (DP) were evaluated in a semiquantitative scale.ResultsThe trial involved 28 female and 1 male, average age 44 years. The median DAS28-CRP was 3.78, PCR 0.07 mg/L and VEGF 691.17 pg /L. Evaluation by GUS7 median DP was 0 (positive activity in one or more joints in 12 patients) and median overall score was 8. DAS28-CRP positive correlation was found with VEGF 0.441 (p