Evaluation of Diastolic Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disorder which can also affect cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular system involvement can be seen in many forms such as pericarditis, myocarditis, coronary artery disease or heart failure. Diastolic dysfunction is especially important for preserved ejection fraction heart failure patients. With this study we aim to investigate echocardiographic diastolic dysfunction parameters in RA patients.77 RA patients and 76 control subjects without coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart diseases were included for the study and echocardiography was performed. Interventricular septum (p=0.041), posterior wall diameter (p=0.008), left ventricular mass index (p=0.037) values were significantly higher and E wave (p=0.000), E/A (p=0.000), e’ (p=0.018) values were significantly lower in RA patients compared to control group. In conclusion echocardiographic diastolic dysfunction parameters were declined in RA patients.