Özet:

Introduction: The endothelial damage, changes in vascular permeability and plaque formation are caused by the effects of cytokines and chemokines that plays role in chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It has been reported that arterial stiffness and the level of cell adhesion molecules are affected by inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-selectin, arterial stiffness and disease activity in patients with rheumatic diseases. Methods: Thirteen patients diagnosed with AS, 28 patients diagnosed with RA and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Arterial stiffness, VEGF, E-selectin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated in all patients and healthy controls. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28) were calculated in patients with rheumatic diseases. The level of serum VEGF and E-selectin were determined by ELISA, and arterial stiffness was measured by oscillometric method. The data were statistically evaluated by using Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U Test and Wilcoxon test. Results: DAS-28, BASDAI, ESR and CRP levels were significantly decreased on the 3rd month of treatment in all patients (p<0.001). VEGF and E-selectin levels increased, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (Alx) parameters decreased with treatment. While the level of PWV did not change, Alx decreased on the 3rd month of non- tumor necrosis factor treatment in RA patients. Conclusion: DAS, ESR and CRP were decreased with the reduction of inflammation in RA and AS patients with treatment. PWV and Alx of arterial stiffness parameters decreased after 3 months of treatment, but it did not reach statistical significance. Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk are expected to reduce significantly with ongoing treatment process.

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