Association Between Atherosclerosis-Related Cardiovascular Disease and Uveitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Uveitis is not only an intraocular inflammatory disease, but also an indicator of systemic inflammation. It is unclear whether uveitis can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the atherosclerotic pathway. Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched until 5 September, 2022. Original studies investigating uveitis and cardiovascular events were selected. The random-effects model was used to calculate the difference of groups in pooled estimates. Results: A total of six observational studies that included mainly ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients were included. Of these, three studies reported data on carotid plaques and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the other three studies provided data on atherosclerosis-related CVD. No significant difference was found in cIMT between uveitis and controls (MD = 0.01, 95% CI = −0.03–0.04, p = 0.66), consistent with the findings of carotid plaque incidence (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 0.71–2.41, p = 0.39). However, uveitis was associated with a 1.49-fold increase in atherosclerosis-related CVD (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.20–1.84, p = 0.0002). Conclusions: Uveitis is a predictor of atherosclerosis-related CVD in AS patients. For autoimmune disease patients with uveitis, earlier screening of cardiovascular risk factors and the implementation of corresponding prevention strategies may be associated with a better prognosis.

CircLZIC regulates ox-LDL-induced HUVEC cell proliferation and apoptosis via Micro-330-5p/NOTCH2 axis in atherosclerosis

“…Patients with AS are more prone to develop lipid metabolism disorders as AS patients have significantly lower lipid metabolism possibly due to underlying inflammation [4,5]. However, the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is not 1 These authors contributed equally to this work.…”

“…Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major chronic non-communicable disease and a primary cause of cardiovascular disease [ 1 ]. In addition, inflammation has been shown to be crucial throughout atherosclerosis from endothelial dysfunction to plaque rupture and thrombosis [ 2 ].…”