RESEARCH - Antibodies against human 60-kDa Heat-Shock Protein cannot be associated with CVD in RA

November 2, 2005

Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Oct 25; [Epub ahead of print]

Antibodies against human 60-kDa Heat-Shock Protein can not be associated

with cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

van Halm VP, Slot MC, Nurmohamed MT, Cohen Tervaert JW, Dijkmans BA, Voskuyl

AE.

Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center, Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an unexplained

increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Antibodies against human 60

kDa Heat-Shock Protein (anti-HSP60) are associated with the presence and

severity of CVD. Therefore, we investigated whether anti-HSP60 antibodies

are associated with prevalent CVD in patients with RA. METHODS: In a nested

case control design anti-HSP60 antibody levels were measured in the serum

samples of 192 RA patients. In a regression analysis we examined the

association between prevalent CVD and anti-HSP60 antibodies and in addition

the possible influence on this association of several demographic, RA and

CVD related variables. RESULTS: In a random sample of 326 RA patients, we

identified 48 cases who also suffered from CVD. Per case we found 3 controls

having RA but without CVD (n=144), matched for sex, age, disease duration

and smoking habits. A regression analysis showed no significant association

between prevalent CVD and anti-HSP60 antibodies, odds ratio 1.00 (95%-CI:

0.997 - 1.004). After correcting for possible confounders, still no

association was found.

CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the general population, anti-HSP60 antibody

titres are not associated with prevalent CVD in patients with RA. We

postulate that these findings are the result of an altered immune response

in RA to HSP60.

PMID: 16249230

6249230 & dopt=Abstract

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

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