MỐI LIÊN QUAN GIỮA HOẠT TÍNH BỆNH VIÊM KHỚP DẠNG THẤP VÀ BỀ DÀY LỚP NỘI TRUNG MẠC ĐỘNG MẠCH CẢNH

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular-related mortality. RA has been shown to increase the likelihood of forming carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques and is associated with the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (CIMT). However, the relationship between disease activity in RA and carotid artery IMT remains unclear. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 65 RA patients at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Patients were diagnosed with RA based on the ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria. Carotid artery ultrasound was performed to assess atherosclerotic plaques and CIMT. The study recorded clinical and subclinical characteristics of RA, disease activity assessed by DAS28, CDAI, and SDAI scores, and the characteristics of the CIMT. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between these factors and CIMT. Results: The 65 RA patients had an average age of 67 years, with females making up 55 out of 65 patients. 96.92% of patients were seropositive, and the average disease duration was 3 years. No significant statistical difference was found between disease activity and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques or CIMT. Age (r = 0.454, p < 0.001) and disease duration (r = 0.561, p < 0.001) were correlated with CIMT, while no correlation was observed between disease activity and CIMT. Conclusion: RA disease activity is not associated with CIMT. Age and disease duration are more strongly associated with CIMT and serve as prognostic factors in evaluating RA patients.