Dietary micronutrient intake and atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dietary micronutrient intake in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: This study included 111 SLE patients and 118 age and gender-matched controls. Data on diet (food frequency questionnaires) were linked with data on Systemic Lupus Activity Measure, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and carotid atherosclerotic/echolucent plaque (B-mode ultrasound).

IgM antibodies against malondialdehyde and phosphorylcholine are together strong protection markers for atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: Regulation and underlying mechanisms.

Objectives: Phosphorylcholine (PC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) are generated during lipid peroxidation and form adducts with proteins as albumin as studied herein. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We here investigate the role and regulation of IgM antibodies against PC (anti-PC) and MDA (anti-MDA).

Ultrasound measurements of carotid intima-media thickness by two semi-automated analysis systems.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is associated with an increased risk of cardiac events and stroke. Several semi-automated edge-detection techniques for measuring cIMT are used for research and in clinical practice. Our aim was to compare two currently available semi-automated techniques for the measurement of cIMT.

Discrepancies in recommended criteria for grading of carotid stenosis with ultrasound.

The accuracy of duplex ultrasound for grading of internal carotid artery stenosis has been widely tested and shown to be high. However, different methods for measurement of the degree of carotid stenosis with the golden standard conventional angiography have been used in the different studies. This, together with other factors, has led to some confusion regarding the relation between the ultrasonographically measured flow velocity and the angiographically measured degree of stenosis.

Bone mineral density and carotid atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled cross-sectional study.

Introduction: As osteoporosis is reported to be associated with atherosclerosis in the general population we examined the relationship between bone mass and carotid measurements in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and controls, and possible links between them in SLE.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 111 SLE-patient were compared with 111 age- and sex-matched controls, mean age 48.7(12.

Conventional treatment after myocardial infarction in routine clinical practice results in regression of left common carotid intima-media thickness.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of standard medical treatment on the progression of atherosclerosis after a myocardial infarction, in an ordinary clinical setting, by measuring the right and left common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The first investigation took place 3-12 months after the index event; the second took place 3·3-8·2 years after the first. In both investigations, the right and left carotid arteries of 102 patients were examined with an ultrasound duplex scanner.

Low levels of antibodies against oxidized but not nonoxidized cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine are associated with atherosclerotic plaques in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: We have reported that the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and their echolucency was increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We here study antibodies against oxidized cardiolipin (anti-OxCL) and phosphatidylserine (anti-OxPS) in SLE and in relation to atherosclerosis measures.

Methods: Patients with SLE (n = 114) were compared with age- and sex-matched population-based controls (n = 122).

Diet and fatty acid pattern among patients with SLE: associations with disease activity, blood lipids and atherosclerosis.

Objective: As atherosclerosis is increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) we compared dietary habits in patients with SLE with controls, and in the patients studied associations of diet components, especially fatty acids (FAs), with disease activity, serum lipids and carotid plaque presence.

Methods: In all 114 patients with SLE and 122 age- and sex-matched population-based controls answered a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Subcutaneous abdominal fat cell aspiration was analysed as to FA content and plaque occurrence was determined by B-mode ultrasound.

Echogenicity of the carotid intima-media complex and cardiovascular risk factors.

Introduction: Increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. A measure of echogenicity, the grey scale median (GSM), has been shown to be inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and to be predictive of mortality in a community-based cohort. We assessed the factors associated with carotid IM-GSM in younger, non-diabetic patients with a recent MI.

Carotid atherosclerosis, disease measures, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and atheroprotective natural antibodies for cardiovascular disease in early rheumatoid arthritis -- an inception cohort study.

Objective: Although an enhanced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well established, the mechanisms behind it remain unclear. We studied whether carotid atherosclerosis, RA disease measures, or potential cardiovascular biomarkers influenced the incidence of CVD in an RA inception cohort.

Methods: RA disease measures and CVD biomarkers were assessed at 0, 3, 12, 24, and 60 months after disease onset, and carotid ultrasonography after 5 years.

Microcirculation as determined by iontophoresis in SLE-patients and controls.

Background: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), microangiopathy and prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques are increased in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). As systemic endothelial dysfunction is one of the earliest signs of these vascular outcomes in the general population we assessed skin microvascular endothelial function in SLE patients.

Methods: Endothelial function in skin was tested with local application of acetylcholine (inducing endothelium-dependent vasodilatation) and any concomitant increase in skin perfusion was measured with Laser Doppler Fluxmetry (LDF) in 84 SLE-patients (83% women, mean age 47 years) and 81 age and sex matched controls.

Use of annual ABPM, and repeated carotid scan and echocardiography to monitor cardiovascular health over nine yr in pediatric and young adult renal transplant recipients.

In adult hypertensive patients, increased cIMT and LVH are independent risk factors for cardiovascular events. We have previously observed that in pediatric RTRs with tight control of BP, cIMT did not progress over time. This investigation is an extension of the aforementioned study aimed at re-examining cIMT and also reporting serial echocardiography results.

Prevotella nigrescens and Porphyromonas gingivalis are associated with signs of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with and without periodontitis.

Background And Objective: Oral microorganisms may be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases, and Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the periodontal microorganisms that has been found in carotid atheroma. The aim of this work was to study subgingival microorganisms and early carotid lesions in subjects with and without periodontitis.

Material And Methods: Eighty-eight subjects with periodontitis and 40 subjects without periodontitis underwent dental examinations in 2003.

Longitudinal levels of apolipoproteins and antibodies against phosphorylcholine are independently associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis 5 years after rheumatoid arthritis onset--a prospective cohort study.

Objective: RA is associated with premature atherosclerosis. Here, we determined the associations of apolipoproteins and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) with carotid artery atherosclerosis in a prospective cohort of patients with early RA.

Methods: In all 114 patients, age 50.

C-reactive protein in relation to early atherosclerosis and periodontitis.

Periodontitis may affect atherosclerosis via the chronic inflammation. We investigated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in relation to early vascular atherosclerotic changes in non-symptomatic subjects with and without long-term periodontitis. Carotid ultrasonography with calculation of common carotid artery intima-media area (cIMA) was performed, and hsCRP and atherosclerosis risk factors were analysed in randomly chosen 93 patients with periodontitis and 41 controls.

Increased prevalence of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and low levels of natural IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and atherosclerosis is reported to be increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We recently reported a negative association between natural IgM-antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) in the general population, high anti-PC levels leading to decreased atherosclerosis development and low levels to increased risk of CVD. Potential mechanisms include anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) in macrophages.

Anti-apoA-1 IgG and oxidized LDL are raised in rheumatoid arthritis (RA): potential associations with cardiovascular disease and RA disease activity.

Objective: To determine whether emerging cardiovascular risk factors such as anti-apolipoprotein A-1 (anti-apoA-1) immunoglobulin (Ig)G and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: We determined the aforementioned associations in 69 RA patients with disease duration of 5 years and 46 controls matched by age, sex, and smoking status. Anti-apoA-1 IgG and oxLDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Intima-media thickness of common carotid and brachial arteries and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 are associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with myocardial infarction.

Aims: To investigate the association between intima-media thickness of brachial and common carotid arteries and factors of the coagulation- and fibrinolysis-system with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with a previous myocardial infarction.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and twenty three patients, men (76%) and women (24%) aged between 32 and 81 years with a history of previous acute myocardial infarction were included. B-mode ultrasound of common carotid and brachial arteries and echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were evaluated.

Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 is associated with intima media thickness of the carotid artery in patients with myocardial infarction.

Background And Aim: Previous studies have shown that a decreased fibrinolytic activity or a hyperactivated coagulation system increase the risk of myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of atherosclerotic lesions and coagulation and fibrinolysis factors and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in patients with myocardial infarction.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 123 patients, aged 31-80 years, with a history of previous myocardial infarction were examined with B-mode ultrasound of the common carotid artery.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in blood as markers for early atherosclerosis in subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Background And Objective: An association has been found between periodontal disease and the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated the hypothesis that periodontal disease triggers the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in blood. Increased levels of these parameters might then indicate early atherosclerosis.

Prospective analysis of carotid arterial wall structure in pediatric renal transplants with ambulatory normotension and in treated hypertensive recipients.

Increased carotid IMT was found to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors. As pediatric renal transplants are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, we examined whether there is a relationship between BP and IMT in normotensive and in treated hypertensive recipients after transplantation. Thirty-one recipients aged 10 +/- 3.

The optimal cuff width for measuring toe blood pressure.

To determine the optimal cuff width for measuring toe blood pressure in patients with lower limb ischemia, this experimental prospective study examined 20 patients with symptoms of peripheral arterial disease referred for vascular examination or vascular surgery. Toe blood pressure was measured hydrostatically by the pole test using cuffs of different widths. Pole test reflects the true physiological blood pressure value and was the reference method.

Effects of low-dose prednisolone on endothelial function, atherosclerosis, and traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis--a randomized study.

Objective: To determine the influence of low-dose prednisolone on atherosclerosis, endothelial function, and risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: At start of the first disease modifying antirheumatic drug, 67 patients with early, active RA were randomized to either 7.5 mg prednisolone daily (n = 34) or no prednisolone (n = 33).

Risk for the development of atherosclerosis in women with a high amount [corrected] of dental plaque and severe gingival inflammation.

Introduction: Chronic infection and inflammation are considered to be risk factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases; the chronic inflammatory and microbial burden caused by the dental plaque in these individuals may predispose them to atherosclerotic process.

Aims: The aims were to study the involvement of a high level of dental plaque, severe gingival inflammation and periodontitis in the development of early atherosclerotic process in women.

Methods: Forty-six randomly chosen women with periodontitis and 21 periodontally healthy women were subjected to a comprehensive clinical oral examination, including oral hygiene status and level of gingival inflammation.