Myocardial Abnormalities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Without Cardiac Symptoms Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Effect of Biologics Treatment

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25461850
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Radiation science
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Yasuyuki 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (40285804)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Nakajima Yasuo 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (00155730) ; Kihei Yoneyama 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (70386944)
• Research Collaborator: Hitomi Kobayashi
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 心臓MRI / 関節リウマチ / 無症候性心病変 / 生物学的製剤

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We sought to assess left ventricular (LV) function and morphology using CMR in RA patients without cardiac symptoms, and to determine the impact of nonbiological DMARDs (nbDMARDs) and biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) on LV function and morphology. LGE was present in 19 (32%) and T2WI in 7 (12%). After adjusting for relevant confounders, each log unit higher C-reactive protein (CRP) and each log unit higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic protein (NT-proBNP) were associated with a higher odds of LGE. NT-proBNP and LV-mass index (LVMI) were significantly higher among those with T2WI compared with those without T2WI or LGE. These data suggest that CMR findings indicating myocardial inflammation/fibrosis are correlated with RA disease activity and alterations in myocardial structure. The powerful anti-inflammatory effect of biologics drug might lead to a reduction in LV hypertrophy and dysfunction in patients with RA.

Free Research Field

放射線医学