Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthritis: Correlation With Uric Acid Levels

Abstract

We aimed to investigate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and risk factors and evaluate the relationship among disease activity, inflammation markers, and uric acid levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Materials and Methods: In this study, 98 patients with RA, 41 patients with SpA, and 95 controls were included. Participants' demographic features, levels of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), waist circumference, glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, disease activity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence were recorded. The 10-year CVD risk and heart age were calculated by using the Framingham risk score. Results: The mean BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and waist circumference were higher in RA patients. There was no difference among patients with RA, those with SpA, and controls in terms of MetS prevalence (43.9%, 41.5%, and 35.8%, respectively, p=0.510) and 10-year CVD risk (12.7±10.2, 9.2±8.7, and 11.4±10.8, respectively, p=0.174). Higher uric acid levels were indicated in patients with MetS in both RA and SpA groups. Uric acid levels were associated with the Framingham score in RA patients. Conclusion: In patients with RA and SpA, CVD risk was determined to be similar to that of the general population. On the other hand, the uric acid level was found to be correlated with the risk of MetS, and uric acid is associated with CVD risk, especially in patients with RA.