Changes in serum cholesterol loading capacity are linked to coronary atherosclerosis progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Excess cholesterol loading on arterial macrophages is linked to foam cell formation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the effect of changes in cholesterol loading on coronary plaque trajectory and the impact of RA therapies on this relationship are unknown. We investigated the association between variations in cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) over time and atherosclerosis progression.

Biological use influences the impact of inflammation on risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Chronic inflammation promotes cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) improve disease activity and cardiovascular disease outcomes. We explored whether bDMARDs influence the impact of disease activity and inflammatory markers on long-term cardiovascular risk in RA.

Inflammation and immunomodulatory therapies influence the relationship between ATP-binding cassette A1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity and coronary atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) removes cholesterol from cells in atherosclerotic lesions, a function known as cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC). ATP-binding-cassette A1 (ABCA1) membrane transporter starts cholesterol transfer from macrophages to HDL particles. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), methotrexate and biologic disease modifying drugs (bDMARDs) are atheroprotective whereas corticosteroids and C-reactive protein (CRP) are proatherogenic.

Statins influence the relationship between ATP-binding cassette A1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity and coronary atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is the main antiatherogenic function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). ATP-binding-cassette A1 (ABCA1) membrane transporter initiates cholesterol export from arterial macrophages to pre-β HDL particles fostering their maturation; in turn, those accept cholesterol through ABCG1-mediated export. Impaired pre-β HDL maturation may disrupt the collaborative function of the two transporters and adversely affect atherosclerosis.

ATP-binding cassette G1 membrane transporter-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity influences coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) measures the ability of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to remove cholesterol from macrophages and reduce the lipid content of atherosclerotic plaques. CEC inversely associated with cardiovascular risk beyond HDL-cholesterol levels. CEC through the ATP-binding-cassette G1 (ABCG1) membrane transporter is impaired in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk Stratification in the Rheumatic Diseases:: An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is increased in most inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs), reiterating the role of inflammation in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. An inverse association of CVD risk with body weight and lipid levels has been described in IRDs. Coronary artery calcium scores, plaque burden and characteristics, and carotid plaques on ultrasound optimize CVD risk estimate in IRDs.

Serum cholesterol loading capacity on macrophages is linked to coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular event risk in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) describes the ability of serum to deliver cholesterol to cells. It is linked to foam cell formation, a pivotal step in atherosclerotic plaque development. We evaluate the associations of CLC with coronary atherosclerosis presence, burden and cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Serum cholesterol loading capacity of macrophages is regulated by seropositivity and C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: Excessive cholesterol accumulation in macrophages is the pivotal step underlying atherosclerotic plaque formation. We here explore factors in the serum of patients with RA, and mechanisms through which they interact with and influence cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) of macrophages.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational cohort of 104 patients with RA, CLC was measured as intracellular cholesterol content in human THP-1-derived macrophages after incubation with patient serum.

Lipoprotein oxidation may underlie the paradoxical association of low cholesterol with coronary atherosclerotic risk in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To compare coronary plaque burden, proatherogenic cytokines, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), anti-oxLDL antibodies, lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol, and their relationships in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)<1.8 mmol/L versus ≥1.8 mmol/L.

The impact of statins on coronary atherosclerosis progression and long-term cardiovascular disease risk in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether statins lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in RA and if tentative benefits are related to changes in coronary plaque burden or composition.

Methods: In an observational cohort study, 150 patients without CVD underwent coronary atherosclerosis evaluation (total, noncalcified, partially and fully calcified plaque) with CT angiography. Prespecified cardiovascular events including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, stroke, claudication and heart failure were prospectively recorded.

Biologics and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis: a review of evidence and mechanistic insights.

: Cardiovascular disease is a leading comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis. Timely introduction of biologic therapies in a treat-to-target approach has optimized disease-related outcomes and attenuated accrual of comorbidities, including cardiovascular risk.: A literature search in MEDLINE (via PubMed) was performed between January 2009 and November 2020.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume As a Marker of Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To assess epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) and its link to coronary atherosclerosis and plaque morphology in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods: Computed tomography angiography was used to evaluate EATV and coronary plaque in 139 RA patients and 139 non-RA controls. All models assessing the effect of EATV on plaque were adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking status, family history of coronary artery disease, and obesity (body mass index of ≥30 kg/m ).

Beta-2-glycoprotein-I IgA antibodies predict coronary plaque progression in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To evaluate whether anti-Beta-2-Glycoprotein-I (anti-β2GPI) IgA antibodies associate with progression of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: One hundred-fifty patients underwent plaque evaluation (total, non-calcified, mixed and calcified) with coronary computed tomography angiography; 101 were re-imaged within 6.9±0.

Biologics May Prevent Cardiovascular Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Coronary Plaque Formation and Stabilizing High-Risk Lesions.

Objective: To evaluate whether biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether biologic DMARDs might have a beneficial effect on coronary plaque formation or progression.

Methods: In this single-center observational cohort study, 150 patients underwent computed tomographic angiography for evaluation of coronary atherosclerosis (total, noncalcified, mixed/calcified, and low-attenuation plaque); 101 had repeat assessments within a mean ± SD of 6.9 ± 0.

Impact of Cumulative Inflammation, Cardiac Risk Factors, and Medication Exposure on Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To explore incidence and progression of coronary atherosclerosis and identify determinants in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We specifically evaluated the impact of inflammation, cardiac risk factors, duration of medication exposure, and their interactions on coronary plaque progression.

Methods: One hundred one participants with baseline coronary computed tomography angiography findings underwent follow-up assessment a mean ± SD of 83 ± 3.

Latent profile analysis approach to the relationship between patient and physician global assessments of rheumatoid arthritis activity.

Objective: Patients and physicians commonly differ in their assessments of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. Clinically meaningful discordance thresholds or validation of their ability to predict functional outcomes are lacking. We explored whether an unbiased, person-centred latent profile analysis (LPA) approach could classify cases based on patient global assessment (PtGA) and physician global assessment (MDGA) assessments of RA activity.

Discordant patient-physician assessments of disease activity and its persistence adversely impact quality of life and work productivity in US Hispanics with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the determinants of patient and physician global assessments (PtGA and MDGA, respectively) of disease activity, their discordance and change over 2 years in Hispanics with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We further examined the impact of discordance and its persistence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and work productivity on final visit.

Methods: We studied 536 Hispanics with established RA from a single centre.

The father-daughter relationship in the wake of maternal death from breast cancer.

Objectives: This paper examines whether a relationship exists between paternal psychological stability and daughters' symptomatology following the death of a wife/mother from breast cancer. Specifically, is there a relationship between paternal parenting style and the daughters' subsequent capacity to form committed relationships later in life?

Methods: We assessed 68 adult daughters (average age = 23.5 years) since the mother's breast cancer diagnosis by means of a semistructured clinical interview and psychological testing.

Psychological Factors that Link Socioeconomic Status to Depression/Anxiety in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Our analyses examined whether reserve capacity factors would explain the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and symptoms of depression/anxiety in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We assessed disease activity, depression/anxiety symptoms, and intrapersonal and interpersonal reserve capacity measures in 128 patients with SLE. Multiple meditational analyses revealed that intrapersonal and interpersonal psychosocial aspects of reserve capacity fully mediated the relationship between SES and depression/anxiety.

Role of psychosocial reserve capacity in anxiety and depression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: To examine the relationship between reserve capacity measures and anxiety/depression among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from Southern California (SoCal), United States and Manila, Philippines.

Methods: A total of 235 participants with SLE completed self-reported scales to assess anxiety/depression and psychosocial reserve capacity measures (self-esteem, optimism, personal mastery/coping skills, social support), socioeconomic status (SES) data, and Mexican SLE Disease Activity Index. Statistical analyses included independent sample t-tests, Chi-square, and point-biserial and Pearson correlations.

Trends in Functional Disability and Determinants of Clinically Meaningful Change Over Time in Hispanic Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US.

Objective: To identify determinants of clinically meaningful change in functional disability in low-income Hispanic patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the US.

Methods: We evaluated 156 low-socioeconomic status, uninsured, largely immigrant Hispanic patients, collectively described as vulnerable patients, on 3 consecutive visits (baseline, 6, and 12 months followup) at a single center. Disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ] disability index [DI]), pain (visual analog scale), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) were assessed each time.

Multidimensional Model of Disability and Role Functioning in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To examine a model addressing the roles of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease burden, mood disturbance, and disability as determinants of impairments in role functioning.

Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 103 RA patients recruited from the community to participate in a clinical trial completed assessments of self-assessed disease burden (total joint pain and disease activity), mood disturbance (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale depressed mood, somatic symptoms, lack of positive affect, and interpersonal problems), disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index gross and fine motor), and role functioning (Short Form 36 health survey physical and social). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine direct and indirect mechanisms linking disease burden to role functioning.

Predicting reattendance at a high-risk breast cancer clinic.

Objective: The research about follow-up patterns of women attending high-risk breast-cancer clinics is sparse. This study sought to profile daughters of breast-cancer patients who are likely to return versus those unlikely to return for follow-up care in a high-risk clinic.

Method: Our investigation included 131 patients attending the UCLA Revlon Breast Center High Risk Clinic.

Evolution of Emotional Symptoms Over Time Among Daughters of Patients With Breast Cancer.

Objective: This study longitudinally profiled anxiety and depressive symptoms of daughters of patients with breast cancer and examined the mother׳s survival status, the daughter׳s age at the time of mother׳s diagnosis, and the style of family communication about breast cancer as moderators of change in symptomatology across participants׳ first 3 appointments at the University of California, Los Angeles Revlon Breast Center High Risk Clinic.

Methods: We evaluated the effects of hypothesized predictors on change in anxiety and depressive symptoms, 3 (symptomatology at first, second, and third clinic visits) × 2 (mother survived or died) × 2 (<20 or ≥20y old at diagnosis) × 2 (open or closed family communication) repeated-measures analyses of variance were employed.

Results: There was a main effect for time of diagnosis on state anxiety, demonstrating a significant reduction in anxiety across clinic visits overall (p < 0.