| 1. |
- Ajeganova, S, et al.
(författare)
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Carotid atherosclerosis, disease measures, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and atheroprotective natural antibodies for cardiovascular disease in early rheumatoid arthritis -- an inception cohort study
- 2012
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Ingår i: The Journal of rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 39:6, s. 1146-1154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although an enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well established, the mechanisms behind it remain unclear. We studied whether carotid atherosclerosis, RA disease measures, or potential cardiovascular biomarkers influenced the incidence of CVD in an RA inception cohort.Methods.RA disease measures and CVD biomarkers were assessed at 0, 3, 12, 24, and 60 months after disease onset, and carotid ultrasonography after 5 years. The study outcome was incident CVD events — acute myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, or ischemic cerebrovascular event. Survival analysis and Cox and longitudinal regressions were used for statistical analyses.Results.A total of 105 patients, without CVD events prior to RA onset, experienced 17 CVD events, an incidence rate of 1.35 events per 100 person-years (95% CI 0.71–2.0). The rate of CVD events did not differ with regard to measures of carotid intima-media thickness, but it was higher for patients with bilateral carotid plaques than for those without (p = 0.012). Improvement in Disease Activity Score for 28 joints, visual analog scale for pain, and Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire score over the first year, as well as usage of methotrexate (MTX), was associated, independent of age, with reduction of risk of CVD event [hazard ratios 0.68 (95% CI 0.5–0.97), 0.97 (95% CI 0.95–0.99), 0.35 (95% CI 0.15–0.82), and 0.34 (95% CI 0.12–0.91), respectively]. In longitudinal analyses, increasing oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and probability for low antiphosphorylcholine antibodies (anti-PC) were observed in those who experienced a subsequent CVD event.Conclusion.Bilateral carotid plaques were associated with poor CVD-free survival. Early reductions of inflammation, pain, and disability as well as MTX usage were associated with better CVD outcome. Elevated oxLDL and low IgM anti-PC levels may link chronic inflammation in RA to enhanced risk of CVD events.
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| 2. |
- Ajeganova, S, et al.
(författare)
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Dr. Ajeganova and Dr. Hafström reply
- 2013
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Ingår i: The Journal of rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 40:3, s. 337-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 3. |
- Ajeganova, S, et al.
(författare)
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Team Rehabilitation in Inflammatory Arthritis Benefits Functional Outcomes Along With Improved Body Composition Associated With Improved Cardiorespiratory Fitness
- 2021
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Ingår i: The Journal of rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 48:9, s. 1371-1378
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated the effect of team rehabilitation in inflammatory arthritis (IA) on body composition and physical function. Further, we examined whether body composition and physical function are associated with disability and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).MethodsThe participants were 149 patients (74% women) with chronic arthritis, a mean age of 53 (SD 13) years, and mean disease duration of 21 (SD 13) years. They participated in a 4-week team rehabilitation program and were evaluated at prerehabilitation, and at 3 and 12 months postrehabilitation. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and CRF by the Åstrand 6-minute cycle test. ANCOVA with Bonferroni correction and linear mixed models were applied.ResultsAfter 3 and 12 months, there were significant reductions in waist circumference and measures of fat, adjusted for age, sex, and baseline measures. The prevalence of adiposity and central obesity decreased after 12 months. Hand grip strength and timed sit-to-stand (TST) improved together with reduction in Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and increased VO2max after 3 and 12 months. HAQ reduction over time was associated with prerehabilitation measures of lean mass of legs, hand grip strength, TST, and physical activity, and changes in hand grip strength, physical activity, and sedentary time, but not with changes of body composition. VO2max improvement over time was associated with prerehabilitation BMI, waist circumference, measures of fat and lean mass, changes in BMI, waist circumference, and measures of fat.ConclusionIn patients with IA, 4-week team rehabilitation benefited body composition, level of physical functioning, activity, and CRF for up to 12 months. Measures of physical function and activity were linked to HAQ over time, whereas body composition was linked to CRF.
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| 4. |
- Su, J, et al.
(författare)
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Low levels of antibodies against oxidized but not nonoxidized cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine are associated with atherosclerotic plaques in systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2013
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Ingår i: The Journal of rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 40:11, s. 1856-1864
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have reported that the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and their echolucency was increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We here study antibodies against oxidized cardiolipin (anti-OxCL) and phosphatidylserine (anti-OxPS) in SLE and in relation to atherosclerosis measures.Methods.Patients with SLE (n = 114) were compared with age- and sex-matched population-based controls (n = 122). Common carotid intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence were determined by B-mode ultrasonography. Plaques were graded according to echogenicity as 1–4, with 1 being echolucent. Antibodies were determined by ELISA.Results.In the SLE group, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS and low total IgM levels (below 33rd percentile) was increased compared to controls (p = 0.045 and p = 0.0079, respectively). Among SLE patients with atherosclerotic plaques, the prevalence of low IgM anti-OxPS (p = 0.0019) and anti-OxCL (p = 0.031) was increased. Only IgM anti-OxPS remained significant (p = 0.019) after adjusting for other significant factors. Echolucent plaques (total, or left side) were more prevalent among SLE patients with low IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS when controlled for other significant factors (p < 0.05). Low total IgM was independently associated with echolucent plaque on left side (p < 0.05), but not other atherosclerosis measures. IgM anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (anti-PS) were higher among SLE patients with cardiopulmonary disease, including arterial, valvular, and venous disease (p < 0.05). There were no associations between antibodies and other disease manifestations or activity. Both anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS, in contrast to aCL, and anti-PS, were cofactor−β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI)-independent.Conclusion.The prevalence of low levels of IgM anti-OxCL and anti-OxPS (both cofactor-β2-GPI-independent) is associated with the presence of plaques and echolucent plaques in SLE.
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| 5. |
- Tengstrand, B, et al.
(författare)
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Gonadal hormones in men with rheumatoid arthritis--from onset through 2 years
- 2009
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Ingår i: The Journal of rheumatology. - : The Journal of Rheumatology. - 0315-162X .- 1499-2752. ; 36:5, s. 887-892
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To evaluate changes over a 2-year course in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in men with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from start of treatment with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs.Methods.Forty-one men with early RA and with joint symptoms less than 1 year were studied. Mean age at inclusion was 53 years and mean disease duration 6 months. They were followed prospectively for 2 years for disease activity [Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28)], physical impairment (Health Assessment Questionnaire), total serum testosterone, non-sex hormone-binding globulin-bound testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH). A group of 131 healthy, medicine-free men served as controls for baseline hormone concentrations.Results.The men with RA already had mean testosterone levels lower than controls early in the disease course. Patients older than 50 years also had significantly lower LH levels compared with controls, consistent with mild hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In patients who responded to treatment at the 2-year followup the testosterone levels increased significantly. A decrease in DAS28 during the 2 years correlated significantly with increased testosterone levels (rs = −0.46, p = 0.006). LH levels were low and stable and did not correlate with disease activity.Conclusion.In early RA, current inflammation seemed to affect the HPG axis, mainly at the gonadal rather than the hypothalamic-pituitary level. Prospective studies are indicated to determine if low HPG activity may be a cause rather than a consequence of a chronic inflammatory state.
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