Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality in spondyloarthritis and seem to be multifactorial. Due to its easy application and reproductibility, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is increasingly used for assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk stratification.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between CIMT and renal function in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods: We performed a cross sectional study including 47 patients with SpA and no history of cardiovascular disease. Clinical and biological data were recorded. Data related to renal involvement and creatinine level were extracted. CIMT was measured in the right and the left common carotid artery by an experienced radiologist; than mean CIMT was calculated.

Results: Our study included 33 men and 14 women with a sex ratio of 2.35, a median age of 36 years (IQR 25-75%: 28-46) and a median duration of the disease of 11 years (IQR 25-75%: 5-16). Renal involvement was found in 6 patients (13%): kidney stones (n=2), tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) (n=2), IgA nephropathy (n=1) and AA amyloidosis (n=1). Median creatinine level was 63 μmol/l (IQR 25-75%: 58.5 - 64). No patient had kidney failure.

Ultrasound examination found median right, left and mean (CIMT) of 0.54 mm (IQR 25-75%: 0.50-0.63), 0.55 mm (IQR 25-75%: 0.49-0.61) and 0.55 mm (IQR 25-75%: 0.48-0.62) respectively. Increased CIMT values were found in 8 patients (17%). No patient had atherosclerotic plaque.

Patients with renal involvement had significantly higher values of CIMT (0.64 mm (IQR 25-75%: 0.56-0.70) vs 0.53 mm (IQR 25-75%: 0.47-0.59); p= 0.045). Significant positive correlation was also detected between CIMT values and creatinine level (p=0.002; r=0.445).

In multivariate linear regression, creatinine level was identified as independent predictor of increased CIMT (B=0.002; 95% confidence interval=0.000-0.005; p=0.035).

Conclusion: Although all patients included have normal creatinine level, we identified creatinine level as independent predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis in SpA patients. This finding highlights the monitoring of this parameter.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared