Background/Purpose:  Cardiovascular
diseases, among which atherosclerotic heart disease, are known to be one of the
most important mortality and morbidity causes in patients with Rheumatoid
Arthritis (RA). Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a potential marker that can
be used to assess atherosclerosis-related myocardial ischemia. Another
frequently used marker for the assessment of atherosclerotic lesions is the
carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). To evaluate role that IMA has on
atherosclerosis development and its clinical usability in patients with RA, by
assessing the values of IMA and CIMT.

Methods: Our prospective study was conducted between June 2012 and March 2013 at
the rheumatology department of Meram Medical School. 52 RA patients, diagnosed
according to the criteria of the 1987 American College of Rheumatology, and an
age- and sex-matched control group of 46 healthy subjects were included in
this study.

Results: No significant difference was detected between the groups with respect
to age, sex and body mass index. Baseline laboratory characteristics of
patients and controls. In the patient’s group the IMA and CIMT values were
found to be 0.37±0.12 ABSU and 0.80±0.22 mm respectively while in the control
group were 0.31±0.11 ABSU and 0.51±0.18 mm respectively. The IMA and CIMT
values were significantly higher in the patient’s group (p=0.022 and
p<0.0001 respectively). A positive correlation was found between IMA, CIMT
and DAS-28 (p=0.016 and p=0.002 respectively) (Figure 1).

Conclusion: Since the values of IMA were higher in the patient’s
group compared to control and because of its correlation with CIMT, we suggest
the usage of IMA as an early marker of atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Figure
1. Correlation between IMA and CIMT