Full Papers
Higher skin autofluorescence in individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis: results from a large population-based cohort
H.J. Hinkema1, S. Arends2, D.J. Mulder3, J. Westra4, E. Brouwer5
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. h.hinkema@umcg.nl
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
CER16397
2023 Vol.41, N°11
PI 2192, PF 2199
Full Papers
PMID: 37382453 [PubMed]
Received: 25/11/2022
Accepted : 06/03/2023
In Press: 15/06/2023
Published: 14/11/2023
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate skin autofluorescence (SAF) levels, an early indicator for cardiovascular disease, in relation to the presence of anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), joint complaints and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a large population-based cohort.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional data were used from 17346 participants of the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study, of whom baseline SAF and ACPA levels were available. Individuals were divided into four groups: ACPA-negative controls (n=17211), ACPA-positive without joint complaints (n=49), ACPA-positive RA risk (n=31) and defined RA (n=52). Multinomial regression was used to compare SAF levels and correct for potential confounders.
RESULTS:
SAF levels were higher in the ACPA-positive RA risk group (OR 2.04, p=0.034) and the defined RA group (OR 3.10, p<0.001) compared to controls, but not in the ACPA-positive without joint complaints group (OR 1.07, p=0.875). The difference in SAF levels remained statistically significant in the defined RA group after adjusting for age (OR 2.09, p=0.011), smoking status, renal function or HbA1c. In the ACPA-positive RA risk group, the effect was found to be comparable (corrected for age: OR 2.09).
CONCLUSIONS:
Our results indicate that ACPA-positive individuals with RA risk have elevated SAF levels, which is regarded as a non-invasive marker for oxidative stress and a possible indicator for development of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is important to conduct further studies to explore if, in ACPA-positive individuals with RA risk and no diagnosis of RA, cardiovascular risk management should be considered in future clinical practice.
