Arterial stiffness in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Arterial stiffness is increased with chronic inflammatory disorders. The reduction of inflammation by immunomodulatory therapy is associated with a restoration of arterial function. The aims of the study were to perform a meta-analysis to determine whether arterial stiffness is increased in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a meta-regression analysis to correlate arterial stiffness with anti-TNFα therapy.