Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients at increased risk of AF and AR: Study

South Korea: Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) patients compared to the general population are at increased risk of aortic regurgitation and atrial fibrillation but not atrioventricular (AV) block II-III, says a study published in Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. 

Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, previously known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is systemic inflammatory arthritis and a type of spondyloarthritis. Main manifestations include arthritis and morning stiffness of axial joints, and other extra-articular manifestations can arise. Cardiac manifestations are the most critical complication among extra-articular symptoms. Also, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are known to be more frequent in r-axSpA patients than in the GP, and combined CVD increases mortality risk in r-axSpA patients. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, therefore, recommends proper screening and early management of CVD in r-axSpA patients.

Against the above background, Hong Ki Min, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues aimed to compare the incidences of aortic regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, and atrioventricular block II–III between radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients and the general population. 

For this purpose, the researchers used National Health Insurance Services data. R-axSpA patients (N = 8877) and the age- and sex-matched GP (N = 26,631) were followed from August 2006 to December 2019. A comparison of incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of aortic regurgitation, AF, and AV block II–III was done between these groups. Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis was used to calculating ten-year incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs). 

To conclude, "the incidence rates of aortic regurgitation and AF were higher in r-axSpA patients than in the GP. Furthermore, the risks of these cardiac disorders were significantly increased in r-axSpA patients."

"The early detection of aortic regurgitation may be increased by regular echocardiography in a specific subgroup of r-axSpA patients, such as those who are older and male," the authors concluded. 

Reference:

Min HK, Kim H-R, Lee S-H, et al. Increased risks of aortic regurgitation and atrial fibrillation in radiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients: a 10-year nationwide cohort study. Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. January 2022. doi:10.1177/1759720X221088094