Inflammation and aortic stiffness in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

What is it about?

Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy reduces aortic stiffness in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

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Why is it important?

Increased aortic stiffness is a cardiovascular risk factor and an intermediate end-point. Arterial stiffness is increased In several physiologic (the elderly) and pathologic conditions (i.e., hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, etc.). Chronic inflammation is an emerging causal factor of arterial stiffening. In these regards, aortic stiffness is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and, finally, in those with inflammatory bowel disease. Interestingly, despite the prevalence of several cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., diabetes and dyslipidaemia) is lower in patients with inflammatory bowel disease than in the general population, the cardiovascular risk is increased. This is the first longitudinal study performed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease reporting that inflammation leads to aorting stiffening whereas immunosuppressive drugs made the opposite.

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