Investigators at University of Sao Paulo have published new data on takayasu arteritis
2009 JUL 13 - (NewsRx.com) -- "The objective of this study is to characterize the lipoprotein risk levels in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients and its possible association with disease activity and glucocorticoid use. Twenty-five female TA patients were consecutively included and compared with 30 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls," investigators in Sao Paulo, Brazil report. "Demographic features and the lipid profile were determined and cardiovascular risk levels were evaluated according to NCEP/ATPIII. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, HDL-c, and triglycerides were determined after a 12-h overnight fast. Exclusion criteria were conditions that interfere in the lipid profile. The disease duration was 6.6 +/- 7.4 years; 30% had clinical activity and 80% had laboratory activity. Regarding NCEP/ATPIII risk levels, TA patients presented higher frequency of lipid risk compared to controls: high TC (48% vs. 20%, p = 0.04), low HDL-c (20% vs. 0%, p = 0.015), and high triglycerides (36% vs. 10%, p = 0.026). No difference was observed related to LDL-c risk levels between both groups (40% vs. 20%, p = 0.14). Remarkably, 60% of the patients had at least one lipid risk factor for cardiovascular disease. No difference in the lipids was observed between patients with and without clinical activity; however, those with laboratory activity showed lower levels of HDL-c (1.37 +/- 0.42 vs. 2.00 +/- 0.63 mmol/L, p = 0.012) than patients without this activity. A negative correlation was found between HDL-c and CRP levels (r = -0.42, p = 0.04). Lipids were similar in patients under glucocorticoid compared to those without this therapy," wrote J.F. Decarvalho and colleagues, University of Sao Paulo. The researchers concluded: "This is the first study to identify that TA, an inflammatory disease, has a proatherogenic lipid profile which is associated to laboratory disease activity.." Decarvalho and colleagues published their study in Clinical Rheumatology (High frequency of lipoprotein risk levels for cardiovascular disease in Takayasu arteritis. Clinical Rheumatology, 2009;28(7):801-805). For additional information, contact R. Pereira, University of Sao Paulo, Faculty Medical, Disciplina Reumatol, Av Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3 Andar, Sala 3105, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, Brazil. The publisher of the journal Clinical Rheumatology can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: Brazil, Sao Paulo, Biotechnology, C Reactive Protein, Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Risk, Dyslipidemias, Gender Health, Gender Medicine, Proteomics, Rheumatology, Takayasu Arteritis, Vasculitis, Women's Health, University of Sao Paulo. This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.
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