Background: Blood lipid levels particularly total cholesterol (CT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL), and triglycerides (TG), are commonly used to predict cardiovascular risk. However, it has been demonstrated that atherogenic index (CT/HDL, C-LDL/C-HDL) are prognostic indicators of atherosclerosis [1].

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to determine the role of lipid indicators in predicting subclinical atherosclerosis among SpA patients.

Methods: It was a cross sectional study over a period of 12 months including patients with established SpA (ASAS Criteria). They were cardiovascular disease free. Lipid analyses were performed for all patients including the determination of: C-LDL, C-HDL, CT, and TG. The ratios CT/C-HDL, C-LDL/C-HDL were calculated. Atherosclerosis was assessed by Doppler ultrasound with measurement of the carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT).

Results: There were 47 SpA patients: 14 female (28.8%) and 33 male (70.2%). The median age was 36 years (18-50). The median disease duration was 11 years (1-32). The median lipid factors levels were respectively 3.66 mmol/l (2.27-6.34) for CT, 0.84 mmol/l (0.43-2.88) for TG, 2.17 mmol/l (0.93-3.9) for C-LDL, and 1.08 mmol/l (0.63-1.49) for C-HDL. The median CT/C-HDL, C-LDL/C-HDL ratios were respectively 3.48 (2.21-6.79) and 1.99 (0.86-3.77). There were 17% of patients with a high ratio CT/C-HDL (>4.5) and 9.3% of patients with high ratio C-LDL/C-HDL (>3.22).

The median cIMT was 0.55 millimeters (0.32-0.83). cIMT was positively correlated with low linearity with CT (p=0.007; r=0.404) and with the CT/C-HDL ratio (p=0,028; r=0.34).

Conclusion: In our study, CT/HDL ratio and CT were the best determinant of subclinical atherosclerosis in SpA patients.

REFERENCES:

[1]Acevedo M, Krämer V, Tagle R, Corbalán R, Arnaíz P, Berríos X, Navarrete C. Total/HDL cholesterol ratio and non HDL cholesterol as predictors for increased intima media thickness. Rev Med Chil. 2012;140(8):969-76.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared