P2.06 Levels of NT-proBNP are Associated with Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background

We wished to investigate the association between arterial stiffness and NT-proBNP, a biomarker released in response to atrial and ventricular stretch (RA).

Methods

AI and PWV were measured using the Sphygmocor apparatus (Atcor) in 108 patients, 92 patients had acceptable AI, 95 patients acceptable PWV readings. The patients are included in the Euridiss register, an ongoing longitudinal study of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) disease activity. Cardiovascular end-points were assessed at the 2007 follow-up. AI and PWV were corrected for age, sex , MAP and heart rate and were dependent variables in separate models. AI was also corrected for height. Multivariate linear regression analysis with NT-proBNP as a continuous variable and ANOVA analysis with quartiles of NT-proBNP were performed.

Results

NT-proBNP was associated to PWV in the multivariate linear regression ß(CI) 0.024 (0.002-0.046) p=0.03. R² adjusted 0.57 R² change 0.02 p=0.03. The ANOVA analysis is shown below. NT-proBNP was not associated to AI ß(CI) 0.072 (−0.026-0.170) p=0.15.

Conclusion

NT-proBNP is associated to levels of PWV in patients with RA.