Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis using ultrasound radiofrequency data technology in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis

Objective The present study aims to identify the cardiovascular risk associated with chronic inflammation and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using noninvasive ultrasonographic radiofrequency data technology. Methods In this study, a total of 87 participants, 38 patients with AS and 49 healthy controls, were evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography. Intima‐media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness were measured from the bilateral common carotid artery using the radiofrequency method. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the AS patients and healthy controls concerning the right common carotid artery, left common carotid artery, IMT, distensibility coefficient, elasticity coefficient, α and β stiffness indexes, and pulse wave velocities (P > .05). The symptom duration of the AS patients had a positive correlation that was moderate and was detected with the α stiffness index and pulse wave velocity (P