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Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences) logoLink to Journal of Peking University (Health Sciences)
. 2020 Oct 19;52(6):1040–1047. [Article in Chinese] doi: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167X.2020.06.009

老年发病类风湿关节炎的临床特征及其心血管疾病危险因素分析:一项大样本横断面临床研究

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis: A large cross-sectional clinical study

Jia-li CHEN 1, Yue-bo JIN 1, Yi-fan WANG 1, Xiao-ying ZHANG 1, Jing LI 1, Hai-hong YAO 1, Jing HE 1, Chun LI 1,*
PMCID: PMC7745264  PMID: 33331311

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA), and the risk factors of EORA complicated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Peking University People's Hospital from July 2009 to December 2014 and 1 116 patients were recruited. The patients' characteristics and CVD, including ischemic heart disease, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease, were recorded. The patients were divided into EORA group (n=212) and younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) group (n=904) according to the age of onset ≥60 years and < 60 years. Then, the differences between the groups were analyzed by Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2test, and risk influencing CVD were analyzed using Logistic regression.

Results

There was no significant difference in the disease activity between the EORA and YORA groups. The proportion of male, pulmonary interstitial disease (ILD), and numbers of deformity joint count (DJC) were significantly higher in the EORA group compared with the YORA group [32.1% vs. 18.5%, χ2=19.11, P < 0.001; 23.6% vs. 13.6%, χ2=16.50, P < 0.001; 6 (2, 12) vs. 3 (2, 7), Z=-3.60, P < 0.001], while the prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome was lower than that of the YORA group (13.5% vs. 5.2%, χ2=11.29, P=0.001). Moreover, there were lower prevalences in the patients treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in EORA group (35.4%) than in YORA group (26.7%) (χ2=6.43, P=0.011), especially in methotrexate (MTX), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and sulfasalazine (SSZ). In addition, the patients with EORA had a higher prevalence of CVD (27.8%) than the YORA group (11.6%, χ2=40.46, P < 0.001), accompanied with higher prevalence of smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that elder age (OR=1.10, 95%CI: 1.00-1.20), DJC (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.04-9.68), rheumatoid nodules (OR=3.56, 95%CI: 1.03-12.23), hypertension (OR=2.37, 95%CI: 1.09-5.13) and hyperlipidemia (OR=8.85, 95%CI: 2.50-31.27) were independent risk factors, while HCQ (OR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.07-0.70) and MTX (OR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.14-0.73) were protective factors of EORA complicated with CVD.

Conclusion

Compared with YORA, patients with EORA have higher ratio of male, ILD and DJC, which may be attributed to inappropriate therapies. EORA is more likely to be complicated with CVD than YORA. Elder age, DJC, rheumatoid nodules, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are independent risk factors, while HCQ and MTX are protective factors of EORA complicated with CVD.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Aged, Cardiovascular diseases, Risk factors


类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)是一种以关节肿痛、关节破坏为主要临床表现的慢性、致残性、自身免疫病[1]。RA多发生于20~55岁,男女患病比例约为1 :4。临床上将发病年龄≥60岁的患者定义为老年发病RA(elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis, EORA),发病年龄 < 60岁的患者定义为青壮年发病RA(younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis, YORA),两者之间在临床表现和生物学特征等方面均存在差异[1]。随着人口老龄化的加重,EORA患病率增加,充分认识EORA的临床特点对疾病的治疗和改善预后至关重要。

由于慢性炎症,RA被认为是心血管疾病(cardio-vascular disease,CVD)的独立危险因素。慢性炎症状态和传统的心血管危险因素相互作用,促进了RA患者动脉粥样硬化及CVD的发生和发展[1-2]。以往研究显示,RA患者CVD的发生率是普通人群的2倍,且CVD使RA患者的死亡率增加约60%,主要包括缺血性心脏病、脑出血或脑卒中[3-4]。EORA患者因高龄、病情重等原因,罹患CVD的风险可能更高于YORA,且EORA患者往往合并症较多,给治疗带来了困难。本研究通过比较EORA和YORA患者临床及实验室指标的差异,分析EORA患者合并CVD的危险因素,以期为EORA的临床诊疗提供流行病学数据。

1. 资料与方法

1.1. 研究人群

入选标准:门诊或住院符合1987年或2010年美国风湿病学会《类风湿关节炎分类标准》[5],能配合面对面问卷调查的RA患者。

排除标准:存在精神神经障碍或严重躯体功能障碍不能进行问卷调查的RA患者。

1.2. 研究方法

本研究经北京大学人民医院医学伦理委员会批准,是一项大样本横断面临床研究。收集2009年7月至2014年12月就诊于北京大学人民医院的RA患者的临床资料。对于研究时间段内多次就诊的患者,选取第一次就诊记录作为横断面调查的信息。患者在就诊时采取面对面问卷调查,由医护人员指导患者完成问卷填写,同时通过医院电子病历系统收集和录入患者的临床资料。

1.3. 调查内容

1.3.1. 患者流行病学资料

包括性别、年龄、民族、职业等。

1.3.2. 疾病临床资料

包括发病年龄、病程、肿胀关节数(0~28个)、压痛关节数(0~28个)、畸形关节数(0~28个); 关节外表现包括肺间质病变、干燥综合征、Felty综合征等; 血清学指标包括动态红细胞沉降率(erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR)、C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)、类风湿因子(rheumatoid factor, RF)、抗环瓜氨酸多肽(anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide,anti-CCP)抗体。记录疾病活动指数(disease activity score,DAS),DAS28-ESR共分为4个等级:临床缓解(DAS28-ESR≤2.6)、轻度活动(DAS28-ESR为>2.6且≤3.2)、中度活动(DAS28-ESR为>3.2且≤5.1)和重度活动(DAS28-ESR>5.1)[6]

1.3.3. 疾病用药

非甾体类抗炎药,包括塞来昔布(celecoxib)等; 改善病情的抗风湿药(disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, DMARDs),包括甲氨蝶呤(methotrexate, MTX)、来氟米特(leflunomide, LEF)、羟氯喹(hydroxychloroquine, HCQ)、柳氮磺吡啶(sulfasalazine, SSZ)等; 糖皮质激素; 生物制剂。记录每种药物使用的起止时间、用法及用量。DMARDs的应用定义为规律使用DMARDs≥3个月。

1.3.4. CVD及其危险因素

缺血性心脏病由以下任何一项标准诊断:病史中确诊缺血性心脏病、心绞痛(稳定或不稳定)、急性心肌梗死,或心电图中存在病理性Q波并伴有典型心绞痛症状,或冠状动脉造影/冠状动脉CT检查显示至少一条冠状动脉狭窄>50%。外周动脉疾病定义为:典型间歇性跛行、踝肱压力指数 < 0.5,或行外周动脉重建术,或因肢体缺血、坏疽行截肢术。脑血管疾病包括缺血性和出血性脑血管病,根据临床表现、CT、MRI诊断[7]。CVD危险因素包括体重指数(body mass index, BMI)、吸烟、高血压、高脂血症、糖耐量异常/糖尿病。根据亚洲人的肥胖诊断标准,BMI≥24为超重,BMI≥28为肥胖。高血压定义为非同日≥3次测得收缩压≥140 mmHg和/或舒张压≥90 mmHg,或目前正口服降压药。糖耐量异常定义为口服糖耐量试验第2小时的血糖水平≥11.1 mmol/L。糖尿病定义为调查时空腹血糖≥7.0 mmol/L,或随机血糖≥11.1 mmol/L,或口服糖耐量试验异常,或目前正口服降糖药。高脂血症包括高胆固醇血症和高甘油三酯血症,高胆固醇血症定义为血清胆固醇水平≥6.5 mmol/L,高甘油三酯血症定义为血清甘油三酯水平≥2.26 mmol/L,或目前正口服降酯药。所有上述诊断均经客观检查证实并经相关科室确诊。

1.4. 统计学分析

采用SPSS 20.0(IBM)软件进行统计分析,对于符合正态分布的计量资料用均值±标准差表示,采用Student's t检验比较组间差异。不符合正态分布的计量资料用中位数(四分位数)表示,采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较组间差异。计数资料用样本量(比值)表示,采用卡方或Fisher精确检验比较组间差异。通过二元多因素Logistic回归分析EORA合并CVD的影响因素,计算OR和95%CIP < 0.05为差异有统计学意义。

2. 结果

2.1. 研究人群一般资料

本研究共纳入RA患者1 116例,其中男性235例,女性881例,男女比例为1 :3.7。中位年龄为57 (48, 66)岁,中位病程为6 (2, 14)年。根据患者的发病年龄,将RA患者分为EORA组和YORA组。

2.2. EORA患者临床特点

EORA组共212例,中位年龄为72 (68, 77)岁,发病年龄为68 (63, 71)岁,病程为2 (1, 6)年。YORA组共904例,中位年龄为53 (45, 59)岁,发病年龄为43 (34, 51)岁,病程为7 (2, 15)年。EORA组男性患者比例、畸形关节数均明显高于YORA组[32.1% vs. 18.5%, χ2=19.11, P < 0.001; 6 (2,12) vs. 3 (2,7), Z=-3.60, P < 0.001]。在关节肿胀数、关节压痛数、CRP、ESR及DAS28-ESR方面,EORA组水平高于YORA组,但两组间差异无统计学意义(表 1)。

表 1.

RA患者临床特征

Clinical characteristics of RA patients

Items All patients (n=1 116) EORA (n=212) YORA (n=904) Z/χ2 P value
  Data are presented as n (%) or median (P25, P75). EORA, elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis; YORA, younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SJC, swollen joint counts; JTC, tender joint counts; DJC, deformity joint counts; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28-ESR, disease activity score-ESR; Anti-CCP antibody, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody; DMARDs, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug.
Male 235 (21.1) 68 (32.1) 167 (18.5) 19.11 < 0.001
Age/years 57 (48, 66) 72 (68, 77) 53 (45, 59) -19.84 < 0.001
Age of RA onset/years 47 (37, 57) 68 (63, 71) 43 (34, 51) -22.69 < 0.001
Disease duration/years 6 (2, 14) 2 (1, 6) 7 (2, 15) -10.31 < 0.001
SJCs 3 (1, 9) 4 (1, 10) 3 (1, 9) -1.00 0.319
TJCs 5 (2, 14) 7 (2, 18) 5 (2, 13) -1.41 0.159
DJCs 5 (2, 12) 6 (2, 12) 3 (2, 7) -3.60 < 0.001
ESR/(mm/h) 41 (22, 69) 48 (25, 69) 46 (25, 76) -0.42 0.673
CRP/(mg/L) 11.4 (2.6, 39.0) 12.5 (2.3, 46.7) 10.8 (2.6, 38.2) -0.09 0.927
DAS28-ESR 4.53 (3.54, 5.60) 4.57 (3.70, 5.73) 4.53 (3.51, 5.70) -0.30 0.550
  ≤2.6 98 (8.8) 16 (9.4) 82 (9.1) 0.50 0.481
  >2.6, ≤3.2 97 (8.7) 15 (7.1) 82 (9.1) 0.86 0.353
  >3.2, ≤5.1 512 (45.9) 104 (47.2) 408 (45.1) 1.07 0.302
  >5.1 409 (36.6) 77 (36.3) 332 (36.7) 0.01 0.912
Rheumatoid factor (positive) 799/929 (86.0) 145/170 (85.3) 654/759 (86.2) 0.09 0.767
Rheumatoid factor (positive) 799/929 (86.0) 145/170 (85.3) 654/759 (86.2) 0.09 0.767
Anti-CCP antibody (positive) 506/620 (81.6) 86/107 (80.4) 420/513 (81.9) 0.13 0.716
Extra-articular manifestations
  Interstitial lung disease 164 (14.7) 50 (23.6) 114 (12.6) 16.50 < 0.001
  Pleural effusion 13 (1.2) 3 (1.4) 10 (1.1) 0.14 0.721
  Pericardial effusion 2 (0.2) 1 (0.5) 1 (0.1) 1.25 0.344
  Rheumatoid nodules 69 (6.2) 13 (6.1) 56 (6.2) 0.00 0.973
  Cutaneous vasculitis 8 (0.7) 1 (0.5) 7 (0.8) 0.22 >0.999
  Anemia 201 (18.0) 34 (16.0) 167 (18.5) 0.69 0.406
  Peri-neuropathy 6 (0.5) 1 (0.5) 5 (0.6) 0.02 >0.999
  Sjögren's syndrome 133 (11.9) 11 (5.2) 122 (13.5) 11.29 0.001
Medications
  Non-DMARDs 316 (28.3) 75 (35.4) 241 (26.7) 6.43 0.011
  Methotrexate 306 (27.4) 45 (21.2) 261 (28.9) 5.04 0.025
  Hydroxychloroquine 349 (31.3) 39 (18.4) 310 (34.3) 20.19 < 0.001
  Leflunomide 433 (38.8) 86 (40.6) 347 (38.4) 0.34 0.560
  Sulfasalazine 341 (30.6) 49 (23.1) 292 (32.3) 6.83 0.009
  Prednisone 252 (22.6) 50 (23.6) 202 (22.3) 0.15 0.698
  Celecoxib 28 (2.5) 9 (4.2) 19 (2.1) 3.23 0.072
  Biological agents 128 (11.5) 20 (9.4) 108 (11.9) 1.07 0.301

在关节外临床表现方面,EORA组肺间质病变比例高于YORA组(23.6% vs. 12.6%, χ2=16.50,P < 0.001),YORA组合并干燥综合征的比例高于EORA组(13.5% vs. 5.2%, χ2=11.29,P=0.001)。其他关节外临床表现,包括浆膜炎、皮肤血管炎、周围神经病变等,两组间差异无统计学意义(表 1)。

在疾病用药方面,EORA组不使用DMARDs的比例高于YORA组(35.4% vs. 26.7%,χ2=6.43,P=0.011),其中HCQ (18.4% vs. 34.3%,χ2=20.19,P < 0.001)、MTX (21.2% vs. 28.87%,χ2=5.04,P=0.025)及SSZ (23.1% vs. 32.3%,χ2=6.83,P=0.009)的使用率显著低于YORA组,其他种类的DMARDs、糖皮质激素和生物制剂的应用上,两组间差异无统计学意义(表 1)。

2.3. EORA患者CVD的临床特点

合并CVD的RA患者共164例(14.7%),其中EORA组59例,YORA组105例,两组CVD的患病率分别为27.8%和11.6%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=40.46,P < 0.001)。EORA组罹患冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病、脑血管病及外周血管病的比例均显著高于YORA组,分别为17.9% vs. 7.6% (χ2=20.21,P < 0.001)、12.7% vs. 5.4% (χ2=13.90,P < 0.001)、16.5% vs. 5.8% (χ2=27.65,P < 0.001),见表 2

表 2.

EORA和YORA患者CVD及传统危险因素患病率

The prevalence of CVD and traditional risk factors in patients with EORA and YORA

Items All patients (n=1 116) EORA (n=212) YORA (n=904) Z/χ2 P value
  Data are presented as n (%) or median (P25, P75). CVD, cardiovascular disease; BMI, body mass index; Other abbreviations as in Table 1.
CVD 164 (14.7) 59 (27.8) 105 (11.6) 40.46 < 0.001
  Coronary heart disease 107 (9.6) 38 (17.9) 69 (7.6) 20.21 < 0.001
  Cerebral arterial disease 76 (6.8) 27 (12.7) 49 (5.4) 13.90 < 0.001
  Peripheral arterial disease 87 (7.8) 35 (16.5) 52 (5.8) 27.65 < 0.001
BMI/(kg/m2) 22.8 (20.3, 25.3) 22.6 (20.2, 24.7) 22.9 (20.4, 25.5) -0.77 0.440
  BMI≥24 365/972 (37.6) 69/180 (38.3) 296/792 (37.4) 0.06 0.810
Smoking 180 (16.1) 50 (23.6) 130 (14.4) 10.75 < 0.001
Hypertension 294 (26.3) 95 (44.8) 199 (22.0) 45.86 < 0.001
Diabetes mellitus 136 (12.2) 47 (22.2) 89 (9.8) 24.31 < 0.001
Hyperlipidemia 72 (6.5) 23 (10.8) 49 (5.4) 8.03 0.005

在传统危险因素方面,EORA组吸烟(23.6% vs. 14.4%,χ2=10.76,P < 0.001)、高血压(44.8% vs. 22.0%,χ2=45.86,P < 0.001)、糖尿病(22.2% vs. 9.8%,χ2=24.31,P < 0.001)和高脂血症(10.8% vs. 5.4%,χ2=8.03,P=0.005)的比例明显高于YORA组,EORA组超重及肥胖(BMI≥24)患者的比例为38.3% (69/180),YORA组为37.4% (296/792),两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05,表 2)。

2.4. EORA疾病与CVD的关系

根据EORA患者是否合并CVD,将其分为CVD组(59例)和非CVD组(153例)。与非CVD组相比,CVD组的年龄和RF阳性率显著高于非CVD组[74 (70, 78) vs. 70 (67, 75), Z=-3.12, P=0.002; 28.6% vs. 9.1%, χ2=10.55, P=0.001]。此外,CVD组男性患者的比例、病程、畸形关节数、CRP及DAS28-ESR高于非CVD组,但两组间差异无统计学意义(表 3)。

表 3.

EORA合并CVD与不合并CVD临床特征的差异

Clinical characteristics of EORA patients with or without CVD

Items CVD (n=59) Without CVD (n=153) Z/χ2 P value
  Data are presented as n (%) or median (P25, P75). Abbreviations as in Table 1 and Table 2.
Male 22 (37.3) 46 (30.1) 1.02 0.313
Age/years 74 (70, 78) 70 (67, 75) -3.12 0.002
Disease duration/years 4 (1, 8) 2 (1, 5) -1.83 0.068
SJCs 3 (1, 8) 4 (1, 10) -0.50 0.620
TJCs 6 (2, 15) 6 (2, 17) -0.77 0.444
DJCs 28 (47.5) 51 (33.3) 3.63 0.057
ESR/(mm/h) 47 (30, 65) 43 (23, 71) -0.36 0.716
CRP/(mg/L) 10.4 (2.8, 37.7) 14.0 (1.8, 46.7) -0.77 0.442
DAS28-ESR 4.6 (3.7, 5.7) 4.5 (3.7, 5.8) -0.47 0.636
  ≤2.6 6 (8.5) 10 (6.5) 0.81 0.369
  >2.6, ≤3.2 4 (6.8) 11 (7.2) 0.01 >0.999
  >3.2, ≤5.1 29 (49.2) 75 (49.0) 0.00 0.986
  >5.1 20 (33.9) 57 (37.3) 0.21 0.649
Rheumatoid factor (positive) 14/49 (28.6) 11/121 (9.1) 10.55 0.001
Anti-CCP antibody (positive) 10/30 (33.3) 13/79 (16.5) 3.72 0.054
Extra-articular manifestations
  Interstitial lung disease 16 (27.1) 34 (22.2) 0.57 0.452
  Pleural effusion 2 (3.4) 1 (0.6) 2.29 0.188
  Pericardial effusion 1 (1.7) 0 (0) 2.606 0.278
  Rheumatoid nodules 7 (11.9) 6 (3.9) 4.67 0.050
  Cutaneous vasculitis 0 (0) 1 (0.6) 0.387 >0.999
  Anemia 10 (16.9) 24 (15.7) 0.050 0.822
  Peri-neuropathy 0 (0) 1 (0.6) 0.387 >0.999
  Sjögren's syndrome 4 (6.8) 7 (4.6) 0.421 0.503
Medications
  Non-DMARDs 16 (27.1) 59 (38.6) 2.44 0.118
  Methotrexate 9 (15.3) 54 (35.3) 10.09 0.004
  Hydroxychloroquine 4 (6.8) 35 (22.9) 7.35 0.007
  Leflunomide 25 (42.4) 61 (39.9) 0.11 0.739
  Sulfasalazine 9 (15.3) 40 (26.1) 2.84 0.092
  Prednisone 18 (3.1) 32 (20.9) 2.17 0.140
  Celecoxib 2 (3.3) 7 (4.6) 0.15 0.701
  Biological agents 3 (5.1) 17 (11.1) 1.81 0.179

在关节外临床表现方面,CVD组类风湿结节的比例高于非CVD组(11.9% vs. 3.95, χ2=4.67,P=0.050)。在肺间质病变、胸膜炎、心包炎、贫血及合并干燥综合征方面,CVD组的比例高于非CVD组,但两组间差异无统计学意义(27.1% vs. 22.2%,3.4% vs. 0.6%,1.7% vs. 0,16.9% vs. 15.7%,6.8% vs. 4.6%, P均>0.05,表 3)。

在治疗用药方面,CVD组患者MTX及HCQ的使用率显著低于非CVD组(15.3% vs. 35.3%,χ2=10.09,P=0.004;6.8% vs. 22.9%,χ2=7.35,P=0.007),其他种类的DMARDs、糖皮质激素及生物制剂的应用方面,两组间差异无统计学意义(表 3)。

2.5. RA合并CVD的传统危险因素分析

CVD组高血压及高脂血症的比例显著高于非CVD组(64.4% vs. 37.3%,χ2=12.69,P < 0.001;30.5% vs. 3.3%,χ2=31.93,P < 0.001)。此外,CVD组吸烟、超重及肥胖、糖尿病的比例均高于非CVD组(32.2% vs. 20.3%,39.4% vs. 35.8%,30.5% vs. 19.0%,表 4),但两组间差异无统计学意义。

表 4.

EORA合并CVD与不合并CVD在传统危险因素方面的差异

Traditional risk factors of EORA patients with or without CVD

Items CVD (n=59) Without CVD (n=153) Z/χ2 P value
  Data are presented as n (%) or median (P25, P75). Abbreviations as in Table 1 and Table 2.
BMI (kg/m2) 22.7 (19.9, 25.3) 22.6 (20.7, 24.6) -0.11 0.916
  BMI < 24 34/53 (64.2) 77/127 (60.6) 0.196 0.658
  24≤BMI≤28 18/53 (34.0) 44/127 (34.6) 0.008 0.930
  BMI>28 1/53 (1.9) 6/127 (4.7) 0.806 0.675
Smoking 19 (32.2) 31 (20.3) 3.37 0.066
Hypertension 38 (64.4) 57 (37.3) 12.69 < 0.001
Diabetes mellitus 18 (30.5) 29 (19.0) 3.29 0.070
Hyperlipidemia 18 (30.5) 5 (3.3) 31.93 < 0.001

2.6. EORA合并CVD的危险因素分析

为了进一步研究EORA患者合并CVD的危险因素,将以上单因素分析中具有统计学差异的变量及临床上判断具有意义的变量纳入Logistic回归模型,分析结果显示,年龄(OR=1.10,95%CI:1.00~1.20)、畸形关节数(OR=3.17,95%CI:1.04~9.68)、类风湿结节(OR=3.56,95%CI:1.03~12.23)、高血压(OR=2.37,95%CI:1.09~5.13)、高脂血症(OR=8.85,95%CI:2.50~31.27)是EORA合并CVD的独立危险因素。HCQ(OR=0.22,95%CI:0.07~0.70)、MTX(OR=0.32,95%CI:0.14~0.73)的应用是EORA合并CVD的保护性因素(表 5)。

表 5.

EORA合并CVD危险因素

Risk factors of CVD in patients with EORA

Risk factors OR (95%CI) P value
  Abbreviations as in Table 1 and Table 2.
Male 0.73 (0.27, 1.97) 0.536
Age 1.10 (1.00, 1.20) 0.040
Disease duration 0.99 (0.87, 1.12) 0.819
SJCs 0.91 (0.24, 3.53) 0.894
TJCs 0.90 (0.20, 3.99) 0.889
DJCs 3.17 (1.04, 9.68) 0.043
ESR 1.92 (0.50, 7.39) 0.344
CRP 0.62 (0.21, 1.84) 0.386
Anti-CCP antibody 0.48 (0.14, 1.65) 0.243
DAS28-ESR
  >2.6, ≤3.2 0.11 (0.01, 1.50) 0.098
  >3.2, ≤5.1 0.59 (0.07, 4.92) 0.629
  >5.1 0.67 (0.23, 1.98) 0.473
ILD 0.77 (0.38, 1.57) 0.464
Anemia 1.19 (0.48, 2.93) 0.712
Rheumatoid nodules 3.56 (1.03, 12.23) 0.044
Hydroxychloroquine 0.22 (0.07, 0.70) 0.011
Methotrexate 0.32 (0.14, 0.73) 0.007
Sulfasalazine 0.69 (0.28, 1.75) 0.440
Leflunomide 1.03 (0.46, 2.31) 0.949
Corticosteroid 1.09 (0.46, 2.59) 0.854
Celecoxib 0.66 (0.12, 3.55) 0.628
Biological 0.39 (0.10, 1.58) 0.188
24≤BMI < 28 3.41 (0.27, 42.55) 0.341
BMI≥28 3.42 (0.26, 44.26) 0.347
Smoking 1.66 (0.58, 4.80) 0.347
Hypertension 2.37 (1.09, 5.13) 0.029
Diabetes 0.94 (0.37, 2.40) 0.900
Hyperlipemia 8.85 (2.50, 31.27) 0.001

3. 讨论

本研究中EORA组男性患者的比例高于YORA组,与既往研究结果一致[8]。多项研究表明,EORA患者常起病急,病情活动度高[1, 8-9]。本研究观察到EORA患者畸形关节数显著高于YORA组,可能与疾病活动度高或病情进展迅速有关,但比较两组的受累关节数(肿胀及压痛)、ESR、CRP及DAS28-ESR,EORA组虽高于YORA组,但差异无统计学意义。既往研究显示,EORA患者存在诊断不及时、治疗欠规范的问题,疾病常迅速进展[10-11]

本研究观察到RA患者DMARDs的使用率低,且EORA患者中从未使用DMARDs药物的比例明显高于YORA组(35.4% vs. 26.7%)。由于本研究包含面对面问卷调查,药物使用数据可反映研究当时的真实情况,提示临床中RA的治疗用药欠规范。对比两组的用药差异,EORA组MTX的使用比例明显低于YORA组,可能与EORA组患者肺间质疾病发生率高有关,RA患者合并肺间质疾病时,临床上MTX不作为首选药物。

RA患者血清中RF阳性率为40%~80%[12],目前关于EORA患者RF阳性率的研究结果不一,部分研究认为EORA患者低于YORA,部分研究认为无差异[8]。抗CCP抗体阳性率的差异同样存在争议[13],本研究显示,EORA患者RF和抗CCP抗体阳性率低于YORA,但差异无统计学意义。值得注意的是,5%的健康人血清中也可检测出低滴度的RF,血清中RF的阳性率随年龄而增高。有研究报道,80岁以上老年人RF阳性率可高达27%~33%[14]。此外,有研究表明EORA患者发病时大关节受累的发生率高于YORA,足部关节受累低于YORA,腕及手关节两组间差异不明显[8]。因此,临床上若患者症状不典型,且血清中抗体阴性时,需要仔细鉴别诊断。

近些年来,越来越多的研究表明RA患者CVD的患病率高于普通人群,中国RA患者CVD患病率为12.7%[7]。本研究中CVD患病率高于既往研究,高达24.2%,且EORA组CVD患病率显著高于YORA组。EORA组CVD传统危险因素所占的比例显著高于YORA,多因素回归分析亦证实年龄、高血压、高脂血症是CVD发病的危险因素。RA患者的高血压患病率同正常人群相当,中国与国外报道结果类似,但RA患者高血压漏诊率高、治疗不充分且合并糖皮质激素用药是高血压发生的独立危险因素[15]。RA患者出现血脂异常的比例可高达53.5%,主要表现为甘油三酯水平增高、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平降低。体内炎性活动引起脂质代谢紊乱、胰岛素抵抗、生成抗载脂蛋白抗体等,促进了动脉粥样硬化的发生及发展[16]。因此,传统危险因素在RA患者CVD的发生及发展过程中起着重要作用,积极筛查血压、血脂以及加强对其的控制,有助于预防CVD发生和改善RA患者预后。

免疫系统紊乱所致的异常炎症在动脉粥样硬化发展的各个阶段均发挥着促进作用,且对传统危险因素具有促进作用[17]。既往有研究比较了EORA和YORA的超声评分差异,在两组DAS28、临床的疾病活动指数(clinical disease activity index,CDAI)、简化的疾病活动指数(simplified disease activity index,SDAI)具有可比性的前提下,EORA组超声滑膜肥大/渗出及超声整体评分均显著高于YORA组[11],提示EORA患者的体内炎性负荷高于YORA组。本研究观察到EORA组的畸形关节数显著高于YORA组,可能与EORA患者体内炎性活动所致关节破坏有关,但比较两组DAS及血清学炎性指标差异无统计学意义,尚需前瞻性队列研究以进一步证实。健康人群的流行病学调查研究显示,CRP水平与未来罹患心血管事件的风险相关[2],其他炎性细胞因子,例如白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子等均是心血管事件发生的危险因素[18],而采用以这些炎性因子为靶点的生物制剂(包括肿瘤坏死因子拮抗剂、白细胞介素6受体拮抗剂等)治疗后,患者心血管事件的发生率降低,其机制可能包括改善了RA病情及血脂紊乱[19]

DMARDs药物作为RA的一线用药,在病情控制中发挥重要作用。本研究显示,HCQ、MTX是CVD的保护因素,除了通过控制病情、减轻体内异常炎症来降低心血管事件的风险外,可能包含其他机制[19]。HCQ治疗后,患者的总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平降低,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平不变[20]。此外,HCQ可通过改善RA患者的血糖紊乱来降低风险[21]。有研究显示,在RA患者发病1年内持续使用MTX治疗,可降低20%的CVD疾病风险,但随着病程延长,MTX累积剂量并不能显著降低CVD疾病风险[22]。在疾病早期积极治疗有利于迅速控制RA病情,达到无DMARDs药物临床缓解,而长期使用MTX后血清同型半胱氨酸水平升高将削弱MTX的CVD保护作用,潜在机制仍需进一步研究[23]。有研究报道,非甾体类抗炎药和糖皮质激素是RA合并CVD的独立危险因素[24]。本研究主要分析了选择性COX-2抑制剂塞来昔布,未证实塞来昔布是RA合并CVD的独立危险因素,此外,本研究未证实糖皮质激素是RA合并CVD的独立危险因素,可能与糖皮质激素可迅速抑制患者体内异常炎症,临床上往往是短期且小剂量应用有关。

本研究存在以下不足:(1)高血压、高血脂症等需要客观检查,本研究为横断面调查,而我国高血压及高脂血症的漏诊率较高,故本研究的患者可能存在漏诊的情况; (2)传统危险因素(包括家族史、饮酒等)在本研究中未体现; (3)本研究只关注了塞来昔布,对于其他非甾体类抗炎药物未做详细调查和分析,存在一定限制。因此,进一步的前瞻性对照队列研究有助于探讨EORA合并CVD的危险因素。

综上所述,EORA组男性患者和肺间质病变的比例高于YORA组患者。EORA更易出现关节畸形,可能与疾病活动及治疗欠规范有关。EORA更易合并CVD,高龄、高血压、高血脂症是CVD独立危险因素,HCQ、MTX是保护因素,临床上早期使用是否有助于预防RA患者发生CVD或改善患者预后,仍需前瞻性研究进一步证实。

Funding Statement

国家自然科学基金(81701598、81801618)和北京市自然科学基金(7192211)

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81701598, 81801618) and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7192211)

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