Can the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) and carotis intima media thickness (CIMT) be new early stage markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
Based on the present findings, patients with RA need to be evaluated in the early stage of the disease for subclinical peripheral artery disease using the ABPI, as well as CIMT, which is also a non-invasive technique, in terms of cerebrovascular events. Inflammatory markers exhibited no statistically significant difference. We think that the atherosclerotic process stems not only from the inflammatory effects of RA, but also perhaps from its immunological nature.
This preliminary study indicates a difference in both brain striatal DA release and plasma cortisol in A118G polymorphic male tobacco smokers.