Study validates NT-proBNP as strong indicator for cardiovascular risk in arthritis patients

Separate study reveals that early control of inflammation in patients with RA arthritis important in reducing cardiovascular risk

The role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, a protein thought to be a regulator of cardiovascular function) as a robust, non-invasive predictor of cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with arthritis taking cyclooxygenase inhibitors has been reinforced by the results of a multinational study presented today at EULAR 2010, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Rome, Italy.

The presence of NT-proBNP was associated with a range of CV outcomes, including CV death. 

"This study has validated previous research showing that NT-proBNP is a strong indicator for cardiovascular risk in arthritis patients," said Professor Kay Brune, lead author, Department of Pharmacology, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. "This means that clinically, the presence of NT-proBNP can be used to accurately assess a patients' CV risk, meaning that appropriate treatment options can be identified early on."

Furthermore, the assessment of CV disease risk in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) was studied in a separate 15-year follow-up study of Norwegian patients. The study aimed to determine whether early markers of RA inflammatory disease activity could predict arterial stiffness, a surrogate marker of CV disease. Arterial stiffness was measured as Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and Augmentation Index (AIx).

"From this research, we can now say that certain inflammatory markers seem to be independent, longitudinal predictors of CV risk in RA patients. Treatment options that help manage early inflammation in patients with RA may ensure that the long-term CV risk associated with RA is managed appropriately," said Dr. Sella Provan, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway, and lead author of the study.

In the Norwegian study, patients with elevated baseline C-reactive protein (CRP, a blood protein, levels of which may rise in response to certain types of inflammation) had a significantly higher AIx Beta co-efficient Confidence Interval (β(CI) 2.67 (0.06-5.31).