Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011 , Vol 57 , Num 3

Investigation of the Correlation Between ADMA Levels and Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Belgin Karaoğlan 1 ,Gökhan Tuna Öztürk 2 ,Vildan Özdoğan 1 ,Ahmet Cumaoğlu 3 ,Suna Oktar 4 ,Nihal TAŞ 1 ,Aysel Arıcıoğlu 3
1 Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
2 Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
3 Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Biyokimya Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
4 Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
DOI : 10.4274/tftr.27879

Objective: Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, is related to increased cardiovascular risks, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is closely related to the risk of coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate plasma ADMA levels and its relation to carotid IMT in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

 

Materials and Methods: Eighteen Turkish patients with RA (16 females, mean age: 49.44±8.88 years) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (16 females, mean age: 46.28±4.97 years) were included in the study. Measurement of IMT was done by B-mode ultrasound. Plasma ADMA levels and carotid IMT of both sides were measured in all patients and healthy controls, and the means of the two groups were compared. The correlation between ADMA levels and carotid IMT was assessed in patients with RA.

 

Results: Plasma ADMA levels were significantly higher in patients compared to healthy controls. Although the carotid IMT values were relatively higher in the patient group than in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant correlation between ADMA levels and carotid IMT values.

 

Conclusion: Our findings support the notion that plasma ADMA levels are elevated in patients with RA. Despite lack of correlation between ADMA levels and IMT in our study, ADMA levels can be used to evaluate endothelial dysfunction.

Keywords : Rheumatoid arthritis, ADMA, carotid IMT