Carotid intima-media thickness correlated with age and pulse wave velocity in ANCA-associated vasculitis patients

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of mortality in the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated<br /> vasculitis (AAV) patients. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were performed to<br /> determine atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness as cardiovascular risk markers.<br /> Patients and Methods: The data of 31 patients with AAV were compared with 21 healthy controls. Demographic and laboratory<br /> findings were recorded.<br /> Results: Seventeen patients (54.8%) were male. Mean age was 52.6 +/- 11.5 years. CIMT was higher in the patient group [0.74 (0.65 - 0.84)<br /> vs 0.63 (0.57-0.74) mm; p=0.048]. PWV [7.9 (6.7-9.3) vs 7.8 (6.8-8.5) m/s; p=0.295] and augmentation index (AI) [22.5 (11.0-30.0) vs.<br /> 23 (9.5-30.5) mm/Hg, p=0.801] were similar in both groups. CIMT was correlated with age (r: 0.538, p<0.001) and PWV (r: 0.554 p<<br /> 0.001) while there was no correlation with AI (r: 0.047, p= 0.764).<br /> Conclusion: The present study showed that CIMT is significantly increased and correlated with age and PWV in patients with AAV