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ABSTRACT: Higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Thalassemia patients have been known. Potential mechanisms are enhanced platelet activation, LDL oxidation, macrophage activation, and increased nitric oxide destruction. We have investigated coronary flow reserve (CFR), brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) and Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with Beta thalessemia minor (BTM). METHODS: Forty patients with BTM and 35 healthy control subjects were included. In all subjects CFR, brachial artery FMD, carotid artery IMT were measured. RESULTS: CFR measurements: Coronary baseline diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was significantly higher in the BTM group (23.8±3.9 vs. 22.1±3.0, P=0.04). However, hyperemic DPFV was significantly lower (61.1±13.0 vs. 68.2±14.2, P=0.02), and CFR was significantly lower (2.57±0.46 vs. 3.07±0.48, P<0.0001) in the BTM group than that in the control group. Brachial artery FMD and carotid IMT measurements: Percent FMD measurements were significantly lower in the BTM group than that in the controls (6.22±4.29 vs. 8.10±4.00, P=0.01). Carotid IMT measurements were significantly but slightly higher in the BTM group than that in the controls (0.57±0.07 vs. 0.54±0.04, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: CFR reflecting coronary microvascular function and brachial artery FMD are decreased, and carotid IMT is increased in patients with BTM.
Thrombosis Research 05/2013; · 2.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: SUBJECTS: Thirty-six patients with psoriasis and 56 healthy volunteers were included in this study. METHODS: Echocardiographic examination included transmitral peak flow velocities of the early phase (E) and late phase (A) of the mitral inflow, left ventricular myocardial velocity measurements, and coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement. RESULTS: Baseline coronary diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) of left anterior descending artery (LAD) was significantly higher in the psoriasis group. However, hyperemic DPFV was slightly lower and CFR (2.19 ± 0.39 vs. 2.60 ± 0.31, P < 0.0001) was significantly lower in the psoriasis group than in the control group. CFR was significantly and inversely correlated with disease duration, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, and hsCRP. CONCLUSION: CFR is decreased in patients with psoriasis, and it correlates to disease duration, PASI score, and inflammation.
Echocardiography 03/2013; · 1.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Masked hypertension is associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a determinant of platelet function, is a new risk factor for atherothrombosis. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) is an exquisitely sensitive systemic marker of inflammatory response. We designed this study to evaluate MPV and CRP in masked hypertensive patients and to compare those with essential hypertensive and healthy normotensive individuals. Forty-two untreated masked hypertensive patients, 53 untreated essential hypertensive patients and age-sex matched 37 normotensive healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood samples were collected and haematological parameters were measured. Plasma CRP level was measured by immunonephelometery method. The MPV was significantly higher in masked hypertensive (8.8 ± 1.6 fl) and essential hypertensive patients (9.1 ± 1.7 fl) than those of normotensive control individuals (7.8 ± 0.8 fl) (P = 0.01 and P = 0.003, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference between the masked hypertensive and essential hypertensive individuals (P > 0.05). CRP levels were also significantly higher in masked hypertensive patients than in normotensives individuals (3.31 ± 1.70, 1.98 ± 1.56 mg/l, P < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between MPV and CRP levels (P < 0.001, r = 0.850) in masked hypertensive patients. Patients with masked hypertension have higher MPV and CRP values than controls. Increased MPV and CRP levels may be the possible mechanisms behind the increased cardiovascular risk in masked hypertensive patients.
Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis: an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis 03/2013; 24(2):170-4. · 1.25 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Mortality from cardiovascular disease has been found to be increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement is used both to assess epicardial coronary arteries and to examine the integrity of coronary microvascular circulation. Oxidative stress, enhancing modification of plasma lipids, is also associated with atherosclerotic events in lupus patients. Impairment of CFR and TAS has been shown to be an early manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Forty patients with SLE and 33 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Echocardiographic examination included left ventricular myocardial velocity measurements and coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement. Serum total antioxidant status levels (TAS) also were measured using TAS kit. Lateral myocardial early peak velocity (Em) and lateral Em/Am ratio did not differ between the groups, but lateral myocardial atrial peak velocity (Am) was significantly higher in SLE group than the control group. Baseline coronary diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) of left anterior descending was similar in both the groups. However, hyperemic DPFV and CFR (2.50 ± 0.42 vs. 3.09 ± 0.45, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the SLE group than in the control group. CFR significantly and inversely correlated with CRP and significantly correlated with TAS. Subclinical coronary microvascular dysfunction can occur in SLE patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors, probably associated with underlying inflammation and impairment of TAS.
Echocardiography 08/2012; · 1.24 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In this study, we have measured coronary flow reserve (CFR) using transthoracic echocardiography and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation using vascular ultrasound in 36 subjects with masked hypertension (MH), 62 patients with sustained hypertension (SH), 40 patients with white-coat hypertension (WCH), and 39 healthy volunteers. CFR was significantly lower in the MH and SH groups (2.30 ± 0.39 and 2.28 ± 0.52, respectively) than in the control and WCH groups (2.85 ± 0.39 and 2.77 ± 0.41, respectively; P < .05). CFR was significantly impaired in patients with MH and SH compared with WCH and normotensive subjects. MH and SH groups are comparable with regard to cardiovascular risks and target organ damage.
Clinical and Experimental Hypertension 08/2012; · 1.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Background. There are controversial results regarding the endothelial function in patients with white coat hypertension (WCH). The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function measuring nitric oxide (NO) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level in WCH and to compare those with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy subjects. Methods. The 40 newly diagnosed patients with EH, 40 patients with WCH and 40 healthy volunteers were included to study. Plasma CRP levels were measured by immunonephelometery method. Plasma NO level was also detected by using the Griess method. Results. Plasma CRP level was significantly higher in patients with EH when compared with those with WCH and healthy subjects (6.3 ± 2.1 mg/l, 2.1 ± 0.9 mg/l and 1.6 ± 1.3 mg/l, p < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference with respect to CRP level between those with WCH and healthy subjects. NO level was significantly lower in patients with EH when compared with those with WCH and healthy subjects (4.6 ± 1.1 µmol/l, 6.9 ± 1.2 µmol/l and 8.1 ± 1.5 µmol/l, p < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference with respect to NO level between those with WCH and healthy subjects. Plasma CRP level was positively correlated with office, daytime, night-time and 24-h blood pressure values, whereas NO level was inversely correlated with these parameters. Plasma CRP level was also inversely correlated with NO level. Conclusions. Our data suggest that CRP concentration is significantly higher and NO level is meaningfully lower in patients with essential hypertension when compared with those with WCH and controls. This may suggest that endothelial functions are preserved in patients with WCH in contrast to essential hypertension.
Blood pressure 01/2012; 21(5):281-5. · 1.26 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Isotretinoin is a widely prescribed drug for the treatment of severe acne. Several adverse cardiac effects due to isotretinoin have been previously reported. However, no data exist on the effects of isotretinoin therapy on QT intervals.
To investigate the effects of isotretinoin therapy on QT intervals and QT dispersion, and also to see if it is related to serum lipids, homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) or not.
Forty-five patients with severe acne (mean age 21±6 years, range 14-38 years; 26 female) were included in the study. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) were acquired at three stages: before therapy and at the ends of the first and sixth months of 0.8 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin therapy. Serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) were also measured at the day of ECG recordings. Minimum and maximum QT intervals were measured and QT dispersion was calculated.
Mean heart rates were similar throughout the isotretinoin therapy. Serum levels of lipids, homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) all increased significantly at the end of the first month and remained significantly elevated at the end of sixth month (P is less than 0.05 for both stages). QT intervals and QT dispersion did not differ significantly throughout the six months of isotretinoin therapy (P is greater than 0.05).
In patients with severe acne, six months of 0.8 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin therapy neither prolongs QT interval, nor increases QT dispersion. This effect is not related to blood lipids, homocysteine or lipoprotein (a) levels. Our findings indicate that from the point of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia risk, 0.8 mg/kg/day of isotretinoin therapy is a safe choice in acne treatment.
Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD 07/2011; 10(7):710-4. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To date, there has been no study comparing the possible acute effects on coronary microvascular functions of smoking light cigarettes (those with low tar and nicotine yield) and regular cigarettes.
Twenty healthy volunteers (8 women and 12 men; mean age, 25.8 +/- 5.8 years) were included in a single-blind, open-label, cross-over study to compare the effects of smoking light cigarettes (containing 0.6 mg nicotine, 8 mg tar, 9 mg carbon monoxide) and smoking regular cigarettes (containing 0.9 mg nicotine, 12 mg tar, 12 mg carbon monoxide) on coronary flow reserve (CFR). For each participant, CFR values were measured at baseline, after smoking 2 regular or light cigarettes, and 15 days later after smoking 2 cigarettes of the other kind.
After smoking 2 cigarettes, CFR values declined from 2.8 +/- 0.56 (baseline) to 2.31 +/- 0.51 after smoking light cigarettes (P = .003), and from 2.8 +/- 0.56 (baseline) to 2.21 +/- 0.45 after smoking regular cigarettes (P < .001). After smoking light and regular cigarettes, CFR values were similar (P = .678).
Light cigarette smoking has similar acute detrimental effects on coronary microvascular function and CFR as does regular cigarette smoking.
Clinical Cardiology 04/2009; 32(4):210-4. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the plasma asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Prospective study.
University medical center.
Thirty-five patients with PCOS and 31 healthy controls.
Peripheral venous puncture, ultrasonography, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Plasma ADMA, serum FSH, LH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), free T and total T, insulin, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, homocysteine, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and carotid IMT.
The PCOS group had higher levels of androgens, triglycerides, homocysteine, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance when compared with controls. There were no significant differences in ADMA levels and IMT between the two groups. The fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein levels were not different among the groups. Intima-media thickness was significantly correlated with DHEAS, but there was no association between IMT and ADMA.
Results of our study revealed that ADMA levels and carotid IMT in patients with PCOS are not different from healthy controls.
Fertility and sterility 01/2009; 93(4):1227-33. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with excessive cardiovascular mortality. Recently, some studies have shown endothelial dysfunction in RA patients with high inflammatory activity. In addition, it has been suggested that the chronic inflammatory state of RA contributes to accelerated atherosclerosis. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether coronary microvascular dysfunction and increased carotid artery intima-media thickness exist in patients with a long history and well controlled disease activity of RA lacking traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Thirty RA patients (22 women; mean age 43.7+/-9.0) and 52 healthy volunteers (38 women; mean age 45.3+/-5.4) were included into the study. Using transthoracic echocardiography, each subject underwent echocardiographic examination including coronary flow reserve (CFR) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement.
CFR values were statistically reduced for RA patients as compared to controls (2.4+/-0.5 vs. 2.7+/-0.4, P=0.002) whereas IMT values were significantly increased (0.6+/-0.1 vs. 0.5+/-0.1, P=0.001). In RA patients, CFR positively correlated with lateral Em/Am ratio (r=0.399, P=0.029), and negatively correlated with lateral isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (r=-0.744, P=0.005), IMT (r=-0.542, P=0.002) and RA disease duration (r=-0.495, P=0.005). Reflecting LV diastolic function, mitral E-wave deceleration time and isovolumic relaxation time were borderline significant between the groups, however lateral Em/Am ratio and lateral IVRT were statistically different.
Patients with RA had impaired CFR and increased carotid IMT, and these injurious effects correlated significantly with disease duration.
Atherosclerosis 07/2008; 198(2):332-7. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We measured carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in 38 Behcet's disease (BD) patients without vascular involvement, 15 BD patients with vascular involvement, and 35 control subjects. BD patients with and without vascular involvement were similar regarding carotid IMT (0.52+/-0.14; 0.51+/-0.09; 0.46+/-0.09; P=0.051), and brachial FMD (16.3+/-6.8; 16.5+/-9.1). CFR values were significantly impaired in BD patients compared to the controls; however the BD patients with and without vascular involvement were similar regarding CFR (2.66+/-0.45; 2.62+/-0.48; 2.91+/-0.53, P=0.007 with and without vascular involvement and the controls, respectively). Endothelial and coronary microvascular functions are compromised in BD patients without vascular involvement as remarkably as that in patients with vascular involvement.
International journal of cardiology 05/2008; 125(3):428-30. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Despite the minor physiologic changes those occur during laparoscopic procedures, pneumoperitoneum with CO2 insufflation may induce alterations in electrocardiographic (ECG) variables, which may predict severe atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. This study aims to assess QT dispersion (QTD) and P wave dispersion (PWD) changes in children who have undergone laparoscopic appendectomy.
Sixteen patients (12 males and 4 females) who had preoperative diagnosis of appendicitis were included in the study. As laparoscopic exploration revealed appendicitis in all patients, laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. Preinsufflation (ECG1), postinsufflation (ECG2), predesufflation (ECG3), and postdesufflation (ECG4) ECGs were achieved at a speed of 25 mm/s for QTD and PWD analyses.
Although mean corrected QTD and PWD at ECG2 and ECG3 were significantly greater than ECG1 and ECG4, those changes induced by insufflation of CO2 were reversible.
The clinical significance of pneumoperitoneum, which causes an increase in corrected QTD and PWD in children, remains to be determined with further studies.
Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques 05/2008; 18(2):173-7. · 1.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Smoking mentholated cigarettes inhibits the metabolism of nicotine and increases systemic exposure to cigarette smoke toxins. However, the possible effects of smoking mentholated cigarettes on coronary microvascular functions are unknown. We sought to investigate whether smoking mentholated cigarettes impairs coronary flow reserve (CFR) more so than smoking regular cigarettes.
Twenty otherwise healthy smokers of regular cigarettes (6 women, 14 men; mean age, 25.6 +/- 6.4 years) and 22 non-smoking control subjects were included in the study. To compare the acute effects of mentholated (0.9 mg nicotine, 11 mg tar, 12 mg carbon monoxide) and regular (0.9 mg nicotine, 12 mg tar, 12 mg carbon monoxide) cigarettes on CFR, all subjects underwent an echocardiographic examination that included CFR measurements at baseline. Twenty to 30 minutes after subjects had smoked 2 regular cigarettes and 2 mentholated cigarettes, CFR was again measured in subjects in the smoking group.
In response to smoking 2 regular and 2 mentholated cigarettes, CFR values declined from 2.56 +/- 0.60 to 2.06 +/- 0.38 (P < 0.004) and from 2.56 +/- 0.60 to 2.14 +/- 0.30 (P < 0.005), respectively. Smoking mentholated and regular cigarettes impaired CFR to the same degree (P = 0.547).
When compared with smoking regular cigarettes, smoking mentholated cigarettes has similar acute detrimental effects on coronary microvascular functions.
Acta cardiologica 04/2008; 63(2):135-40. · 0.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease, and there is a strong association between serum GGT levels and most CV risk factors, including hypertension; however, the role of serum GGT level as an independent risk factor for target organ damage in hypertension remains controversial. Accordingly, we aimed to determine whether serum GGT level is independently and specifically associated with coronary flow reserve (CFR) impairment in hypertensive patients.
We examined 100 never-treated and newly diagnosed hypertensive individuals, and CFR was achieved in 97 (97%) of them. They were divided into two groups based on serum GGT levels.
Subjects with higher GGT had significantly impaired CFR as compared to those with lower GGT (2.10 +/- 0.36 versus 2.57 +/- 0.54, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, lipids and glucose, we found that serum GGT levels were independently associated with CFR impairment (beta = -0.62, P < 0.0001). We also found that GGT level was a good predictor of low CFR at the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Area under the curve was 79% [95% confidence interval: 0.70-0.88], and GGT level was significantly predictive of low CFR (P < 0.0001).
These results support a role for serum GGT level as an independent marker of target organ damage in hypertensive subjects without concomitant risk factors.
Journal of Hypertension 12/2007; 25(12):2497-503. · 4.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis. However, the question of whether patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are at risk of atherosclerosis and related diseases remains controversial.
We aimed to use transthoracic Doppler echocardiography to investigate coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with FMF.
CFR and LV diastolic function were studied in 33 patients with FMF (16 men, 17 women; mean age, 36.7+/-12.0 years) and 35 healthy volunteers (20 men, 15 women; mean age, 36.8+/-5.2 years). Coronary diastolic peak flow velocities (DPFV) were measured at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion. LV diastolic function was assessed by standard and tissue Doppler imaging.
CFR was significantly lower in the FMF group than in the control group (2.27+/-0.38 versus 3.02+/-0.50, P<0.0001). Significant between-group differences were found regarding LV diastolic function mitral E/A ratio, mitral E-wave deceleration time, and lateral A(m). Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were significantly higher in the patients with FMF, and hsCRP values independently correlated with CFR.
Coronary microvascular function and LV diastolic function are impaired in patients with FMF. The severity of these impairments is correlated with hsCRP. Impaired CFR may be an early manifestation of cardiac involvement in patients with FMF.
Atherosclerosis 12/2007; 195(2):e161-7. · 3.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although the cardiovascular system is highly sensitive to thyroid hormones, the cardiovascular effects of subtle thyroid dysfunction such as subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular function in patients with SHT.
Fifty subjects with SHT and 30 control subjects with normal serum thyroid hormones and TSH levels were included in this study. Coronary diastolic peak flow velocities were measured at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline diastolic peak velocity.
Age, gender, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), serum lipid parameters, and thyroid hormone levels were similar between the groups. Heart rate was significantly lower in the SHT group. Left ventricular diastolic filling parameters were significantly different in the SHT group while other echocardiographic parameters were similar. CFR values were significantly lower in subjects with SHT than in the control group (2.38 +/- 0.44 vs. 2.98 +/- 0.47, p < 0.0001).
These findings suggest that CFR, which reflects coronary microvascular function, is impaired in patients with SHT.
Clinical Cardiology 11/2007; 30(11):562-6. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Smoking is the most prevalent and most preventable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Smoking low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes (light cigarettes) would be expected to be less hazardous than smoking regular cigarettes owing to the lower nicotine and tar yield.
To compare the chronic and acute effects of light cigarette and regular cigarette smoking on coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR).
20 regular cigarette smokers (mean (SD) age 24.8 (5.0)), 20 light cigarette smokers (mean age 25.6 (6.4)), and 22 non-smoker healthy volunteers (mean age 25.1 (4.2)) were included. First, each subject underwent echocardiographic examination, including CFVR measurement, after a 12 hour fasting and smokeless period. Two days later, each subject smoked two of their normal cigarettes in a closed room within 15 minutes. Finally, within 20-30 minutes, each subject underwent an echocardiographic examination, including CFVR measurement.
Mean (SD) CFVR values were similar in light cigarette and regular cigarette smokers and significantly lower than in the controls (2.68 (0.50), 2.65 (0.61), 3.11 (0.53), p = 0.013). Before and after smoking a paired t test showed that smoking two light cigarettes acutely decreased the CFVR from 2.68 (0.50) to 2.05 (0.43) (p = 0.001), and smoking of two regular cigarettes acutely decreased CFVR from 2.65 (0.61) to 2.18 (0.48) (p = 0.001).
Smoking low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes impairs the CFVR as severely as smoking regular cigarettes. CFVR values are similar in light cigarette and regular cigarette smokers and significantly lower than in controls.
Heart (British Cardiac Society) 11/2007; 93(10):1274-7. · 4.22 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Statins improve endothelial functioning in patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, while substantially little is known about induced changes in myocardial microcirculation. However, although previous studies have suggested that microvascular abnormalities and endothelial dysfunction is responsible for slow coronary flow (SCF), there is no study investigating possible effects of statins on coronary microvascular function in patients with SCF.
We prospectively investigated the effects of short-term lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflecting coronary microvascular function in patients with SCF assessed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE).
In an open clinical trial, CFR was studied in 20 subjects with SCF. TTDE was used to assess CFR at baseline as well as after 8 weeks of atorvastatin therapy. Coronary flow was quantified according to TIMI frame count (TFC). Coronary diastolic peak flow velocities were measured at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion. CFR was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline diastolic peak velocities.
CFR was independently correlated with TFC. After 8 weeks of atorvastatin therapy, CFR values increased significantly (1.95 +/- 0.38 vs. 2.54 +/- 0.56, (p < 0.001). No change in hemodynamic parameters was noted during the entire study. The improvement in CFR was not correlated to the amount of lipid-lowering effect of atorvastatin.
These findings suggest that short-term lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin improved CFR, which reflects coronary microvascular functioning in patients with SCF.
Clinical Cardiology 09/2007; 30(9):475-9. · 2.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Oral apthous ulcers and skin lesions are the primary symptoms of Behcet's disease (BD). To date, there is no study to investigate possible associations between these lesions and endothelial functions. We have hypothesized that active BD period with oral and skin lesions might have more deteriorating effect on endothelial functions. Thirty-five patients with BD were registered for the study. Each subject was evaluated two times in both active and inactive disease periods. The subject with at least 30 days of lesion-free period was regarded in the inactive disease period, and the subject with any oral and/or skin lesions was regarded in the active disease period. For the control group, 35 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were registered. In each subject, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery after transient ischemia was evaluated in both active and inactive disease periods. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) values (3.30 +/- 5.76 vs 14.19 +/- 13.55 vs 1.82 +/- 1.31, P < 0.001) and FMD values (13.89 +/- 5.57 vs 8.53 +/- 4.78 vs 15.83 +/- 5.29, P < 0.001) were significantly different among the BD patients in inactive and active disease periods and among control subjects. FMD values in inactive and active disease periods modestly correlated to hsCRP and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values. Brachial FMD is more prominently impaired in BD patients within the active disease period. BD patients are possibly more vulnerable to cardiovascular manifestations when they are in the active disease period.
Clinical Rheumatology 08/2007; 26(7):1074-8. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Oral apthous ulcers and skin lesions are the primary symptoms of Behcet’s disease (BD). To date, there is no study to investigate
possible associations between these lesions and endothelial functions. We have hypothesized that active BD period with oral
and skin lesions might have more deteriorating effect on endothelial functions. Thirty-five patients with BD were registered
for the study. Each subject was evaluated two times in both active and inactive disease periods. The subject with at least
30days of lesion-free period was regarded in the inactive disease period, and the subject with any oral and/or skin lesions
was regarded in the active disease period. For the control group, 35 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were registered.
In each subject, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery after transient ischemia was evaluated in both active
and inactive disease periods. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) values (3.30 ± 5.76 vs 14.19 ± 13.55 vs 1.82 ± 1.31,
P < 0.001) and FMD values (13.89 ± 5.57 vs 8.53 ± 4.78 vs 15.83 ± 5.29, P < 0.001) were significantly different among the BD patients in inactive and active disease periods and among control subjects.
FMD values in inactive and active disease periods modestly correlated to hsCRP and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values.
Brachial FMD is more prominently impaired in BD patients within the active disease period. BD patients are possibly more vulnerable
to cardiovascular manifestations when they are in the active disease period.
Clinical Rheumatology 06/2007; 26(7):1074-1078. · 2.00 Impact Factor
