AB0235 COMPREHENSIVE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSESSMENT IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS PATIENTS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: M. Markov, T. Georgiev, S. Bogdanova-Petrova, M. Dimova, M. Kosturkova, S. Hristova, S. Dimitrov, G. Gerganov, R. Moraliyska, D. Simeonova, Z. Apostolova
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Chronic inflammation has long been recognized as a driving factor in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, the extent of available data on seronegative spondyloarthritis, specifically ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), remains limited, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation into cardiovascular risk in these patient populations. <h3>Objectives:</h3> The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), exploring gender disparities and specific indices of arterial stiffness. The ultimate goal is to contribute valuable data that informs tailored cardiovascular risk management strategies for patients with AS and PsA. <h3>Methods:</h3> A total of 83 patients, comprising 62 with AS and 21 with PsA, were included in this study (mean age 48.79, age range 26-74). Comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments were conducted by comparing AS and PsA patients using Framingham, SCORE2, and QRISK3 scales tailored for respective age groups. The analysis encompassed considerations of gender, inflammatory joint disease activity, and ultrasonographic indices of arterial stiffness (endothelial function tracking, beta stiffness, carotid pulse wave velocity (cPWV), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), arterial compliance (AC), augmentation index (AI). Biochemical parameters, including cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and c-reactive protein (CRP), were examined, along with pertinent risk factors such as hypertensive disease and smoking. <h3>Results:</h3> The study revealed a significant gender-based distribution difference in AS and PsA diagnoses (Pearson Chi-Square = 8.204, df = 1, p = 0.004), with males predominantly affected by AS and females by PsA. Notably, no statistically significant correlation was observed between coronary artery diseases (CAD) and hypertensive disease, and similar findings were noted for gender and hypertensive disease (p=0.566). Additionally, there were no significant differences between AS and PsA groups in terms of CIMT, AI, and PWV. However, significant disparities favoring AS were found in beta stiffness (p=0.029) and AC (p=0.009). AC and beta stiffness didn't remained significant after adjusting for confounders (age) (beta 0.480). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> This study provides critical insights into the cardiovascular risk profiles of AS and PsA patients, highlighting gender disparities and specific indices of arterial stiffness. The findings emphasize the necessity for more extensive research in this area to develop tailored cardiovascular risk management strategies for these unique patient populations. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>