The condition of arteries in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Were studied 75patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 29 healthy subjects without clinical manifestation of the atherosclerosis or it risk factors. All patients underwent ultrasonic investigation of the arterial vassal with the measurement of the intima-media thickness (IMT) carotids and sizing up of the total area of atherosclerotic plaques lesion. It has been determined, that RA is accompanied by functional and organic atherosclerotic changes of arterial vessel. This signs of atherosclerosis in RA positively correlate with the age, duration of disease, Ritchie index, C-reactive protein level, proatherogenic changes in lipid profile.