DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2020.3.14
Palhuyeva H.Y., Litvyakov A.M.
Rheumatic arthritis and atherosclerosis: focus on persistent infection. Literature review
Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2020;19(3):14-22.
Abstract.
Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies of the recent years indicate that systemic rheumatic diseases are accompanied by the progressive development of atherosclerosis and its complications, and they should be considered as independent risk factors for atherosclerotic disease.
Among systemic rheumatic diseases with a clinical predominance of joint syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is distinguished. The leading cause of premature death in patients with RA is cardiovascular disease – myocardial infarction, cardiovascular failure, and stroke. In young people with a short duration of the disease and low activity of the inflammatory process, the presence of initial atherosclerotic changes in the arteries has been shown.
Atherosclerosis and RA are based on the chronic inflammatory process with similar molecular and cellular mechanisms.
One of the reasons for the development of systemic inflammation may be persistent infections. Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Herpes Simplex Virus-1, Cytomegalovirus are considered as possible candidates.
The role of persistent bacterial and viral infections in the development of atherosclerosis may partly be connected with their ability to cause proatherogenic changes in lipid metabolism.
Various infectious agents are considered as possible trigger factors in the etiopathogenesis of RA.
Key words: atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic plaques, inflammation, infection.
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Information about authors:
Palhuyeva H.Y. – Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor of the Chair of Internal Medicine, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University;
Litvyakov A.M. – Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, head of the Chair of Internal Medicine, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University.
Correspondence address: Republic of Belarus, 210009, Vitebsk, 27 Frunze ave., Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, Chair of Chair of Internal Medicine. E-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра. – Hanna Y. Palhuyeva.
