Duplex study of the carotid and femoral arteries of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled study.

Background: "Ultrasonic biopsy" (U-B) is a noninvasive screening technique to detect early atherosclerotic plaques and arterial wall changes.

Aim: To identify atherosclerosis (AS) in the common carotid artery (CCA) and common femoral artery (CFA) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their matched controls.

Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive RA patients were enrolled in the study.