DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i01.014

Pages: 83-88

Background: Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has been observed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of accelerated atherosclerosis. We measured carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA in this study. We aim to study the relationship between carotid intima media thickness and the severity and duration of rheumatoid arthritis. Methodology: Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured in 45 patients of RA divided into three groups based on duration of disease ,less than two years, two to five years, and more than five years). Both common carotid intima media thickness (CCIMT) and total carotid intima media thickness (TCIMT) i.e., mean of values of CCA, ICA, and ECA) measured and values DAS-28 activity score was calculated. Results: In RA patient Both CCIMT and TCIMT increased significantly with duration of disease but not with severity of disease which was calculated by DAS-28 score. Conclusion: In view of relation to duration of disease, the physicians should regularly screen the established RA patients, so as to identify the evidence of atherosclerosis and manage it earlier.