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To evaluate the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and to study the relationship between these values and disease activation. Forty seven patients with PsA and 56 age- and sex matched healthy controls were included in this study. Laboratory test results of both groups were retrospectively collected from medical records; these included levels for white blood cell count, hemoglobin, platelet, RDW, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Disease activity score (DAS28) was used to evaluate disease activity. The study comprised 47 PsA patients (32 females and 15 males) (F:M 2.1:1) with a mean age of 39.2 ± 9.9 (20–54) years and mean disease duration was 3.3 ± 1.94 (1–8) years. 39 (83%) patients were receiving monotherapy, 8 (17%) were receiving combined therapy. The RDW values were significantly higher when comparing active disease period (16 ± 3.9) of PsA patients versus inactive disease period (14.2 ± 1.04) and controls (14.03 ± 1.2) (p < 0.001). Otherwise, no significant differences were found when comparing inactive disease period of PsA patients versus controls (p = 0.18). RDW values of active disease period of PsA patients significantly correlated with ESR (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), CRP (r = 0.4, p = 0.006) and DAS28 (r = 0.42, p = 0.003). Increased RDW is associated with active disease period of PsA patients. RDW seems to be a surrogate marker of the inflammation, like CRP and ESR. It is included in the complete blood count thus its measurement does not need any additional costs. RDW may be a potential marker to evaluate disease activity of PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aim of the work Cardiovascular diseases represent a major source of morbidity and mortality for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The increase in aortic stiffness, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been shown to be independent risk factors for cardiovascular events. This work aimed to investigate the clinical significance of these parameters in RA patients. Patients and methods 60 RA patients and 30 control with no primary cardiovascular risk factors were included. Disease activity score (DAS28) was assessed in patients. Aortic stiffness was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and CIMT evaluated by Doppler ultrasonography. OPG was determined by ELISA. Results The 60 RA patients had a mean age of 40.8 ± 8.3 years, disease duration of 6.9 ± 4.9 years and were 46 females and 14 males. In RA patients, serum OPG and CIMT (thickest and mean) were significantly higher than the control (60.5 ± 32.4 pg/ml vs 29.4 ± 16.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001; 0.73 ± 0.18 mm vs 0.63 ± 0.13 mm, p < 0.001; 0.61 ± 0.1 mm vs 0, 56 ± 0.1 mm, p = 0.007, respectively). The aortic stiffness tended to be higher in patients (6.9 ± 4.8 vs 5.2 ± 2.5, p = 0.114) and in males (9.7 ± 7.4) vs females (5.7 ± 3.4, p = 0.013). OPG levels were significantly higher in those with erosions (n = 41) (68.6 ± 34.5 pg/ml vs 49.1 ± 22 pg/ml p = 0.038) and in those seropositive (n = 54) (65.4 ± 32.2 pg/ml vs 36 ± 18.3 pg/ml p = 0.012). In patients, CIMT (thickest and mean) correlated significantly with the aortic stiffness (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04 respectively). Conclusion RA is an independent risk factor associated with cardiovascular events. For determining this risk, measuring the serum OPG, CIMT and aortic stiffness may be a useful guide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]