The LDL/HDL ratio and atherosclerosis in ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives In ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, cardiac and vascular involvement may manifest as atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol constitute a significant risk for atherosclerosis. This study investigated the relationship between carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT), LDL/HDL ratio, total oxidant status (TOS; an indicator of oxidative stress) and ischemic modified albumin (IMA; an ischemic marker in AS patients). Patients and methods Sixty AS patients were diagnosed using the Modified New York Criteria; 54 age- and gender-matched participants were included as controls. CIMT, LDL / HDL ratio, TOS and IMA were measured using the most appropriate methods. Results IMA was higher in AS patients compared to controls ( p