Background The prevalence and relationship of VC with arterial atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is under-investigated.

Objectives investigate the prevalence of VC in patients with RA and its relationship with carotid atherosclerosis (CA) and coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Methods Study population was consisted of 128 adult patients (65.6% women, age 55^43;61 years) with RA according to ACR/EULAR criteria (disease duration 6^5;18 month) with moderate/high RA activity (DAS28 5.3 [5.0; 6.1]). Arterial hypertension (AH) was found in 64%, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) – in 14%, dyslipidemia – in 54.7%, smoking – in 20.3%, diabetes mellitus type 2 – in 7%, myocardial infarction – in 1.6%, stroke – in 1.6%. Cardiac VC was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography; CAC scoring was done with 32-row scanner by standard Agatston method; CA was evaluated with duplex ultrasound.

Results Patients were divided on 3 groups depending on valve condition: normal (34.3%); leaves thickening (30.5%); VC (35.25%). The VC group consisted of isolated mitral VC – in 11%, isolated aortic VC – in 51%, calcification of both valve – in 38%. Mitral regurgitation (3 degree) was detected in 0.8% patient, mitral stenosis (mild) – 0.8%, aortic regurgitation (1 degree) – in 25%, aortic stenosis (mild) – in 0.8%. Age, BMI, SBP and frequency of AH, IHD, CA, CAC significant increased from 1 to 3 group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the sex, lipid levels, Rg-stage, RA duration and level of parameters of RA activity (DAS28, CRP, ESR) between investigated groups.

Conclusions Among RA patients, more than half have a modified valve structure and in 1/3 of them VC. The presence of VC is correlated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, but not with lipid levels, activity and severity of RA. The probability of CA and CAC presence is significantly increased when there is VC.

Disclosure of Interest None declared