Comparison of carotid artery ultrasound and Framingham risk score for discriminating coronary artery disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the performance of carotid ultrasound (US) parameters alone or in combination with Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in discriminating patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).
METHODS: Ninety-one patients with PsA (56 males; age: 50±11 years, disease duration: 9.4±9.2 years) without overt cardiovascular (CV) diseases were recruited. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), the presence of plaque and total plaque area (TPA) was determined by high-resolution US. CAD was defined as the presence of any coronary plaque on coronary CT angiography (CCTA). Obstructive-CAD (O-CAD) was defined as >50% stenosis of the lumen.
RESULTS: Thirty-five (38%) patients had carotid plaque. Fifty-four (59%) patients had CAD (CAD+) and 9 (10%) patients had O-CAD (O-CAD+). No significant associations between the presence of carotid plaque and CAD were found. However, cIMT and TPA were higher in both the CAD+ and O-CAD+ group compared with the CAD- or O-CAD- groups, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mean cIMT was an independent explanatory variable associated with CAD and O-CAD, while maximum cIMT and TPA were independent explanatory variables associated with O-CAD after adjusting for covariates. The optimal cut-offs for detecting the presence of CAD were FRS >5% and mean cIMT at 0.62 mm (AUC: 0.71; sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 76%), while the optimal cut-offs for detecting the presence of O-CAD were FRS >10% in combination with mean cIMT at 0.73 mm (AUC: 0.71; sensitivity: 56%; specificity: 85%).
CONCLUSION: US parameters including cIMT and TPA may be considered in addition to FRS for CV risk stratification in patients with PsA. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular morbidity is increased by 43% and 22%, respectively, in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) compared with the general population.[1] CV disease (CVD) risk assessment is recommended for all patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis or PsA at least once every 5 years, so that lifestyle advice and CVD preventive treatment can be initiated when indicated.[2] Unfortunately, traditional CV risk scores including the Framingham risk score (FRS),[3] QRISK2,[4] Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE),[5] and American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 10-year atherosclerotic CV disease risk (ASCVD)[6] underestimated CV risks[7-10] in patients with PsA.

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive and accurate method to assess coronary atherosclerosis, which is closely associated with cardiac events in the general population.[11-13] Further CV risk stratification is possible by detecting the presence of high-risk plaques (non-calcified plaque (NCP) and mixed plaque (MP)).[14 15] We and others have demonstrated that patients with PsA had increased prevalence, burden and severity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed using CCTA,[10 16] supporting the notion that a more aggressive CV evaluation strategy should be considered in these patients.[10] However, there are concerns regarding costs and radiation exposure using CCTA or even coronary artery calcium as a screening tool.

Carotid ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive imaging technique which can identify the presence of carotid plaque and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). The burden of carotid atherosclerosis is associated with an increased risk of developing future CV events in patients with psoriatic disease.[17] Because CCTA has been shown to have accuracy comparable with invasive angiography,[18] it is perhaps a superior method of assessing coronary artery disease (CAD) rather than using carotid artery US as a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) suggested a multiplication factor of 1.5 should be added to the FRS to address the augmented CV risk in RA (modified FRS).[2] Nevertheless, modified FRS (mFRS) only yield moderate improvement in identification of CAD on CCTA.[19 20] A previous study including mainly patients with RA with carotid plaques showed that a combination of ultrasonographic measurements rather than the presence of carotid plaque alone may be useful in risk stratification for CAD.[21] Whether this is also true in patients with PsA would need to be confirmed. Moreover, the prevalence of CAD in patients with PsA without carotid plaques remained uncertain.

The aims of this study were (1) to ascertain the correlation between carotid artery atherosclerosis by carotid US with CAD, obstructive CAD (O-CAD) and three-vessel disease (TVD) assessed using CCTA; and (2) the utility of carotid US parameters in combination with traditional CV risk score in discriminating patients with CAD and O-CAD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients

This is a post-hoc analysis of the PsA CCTA study and the effect of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness study (MDA vascular study).[10 22] Ninety-one consecutive patients with PsA without overt CVD attending the outpatient clinic of the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) who were recruited for the MDA vascular study and had carotid US performed at baseline were referred for CCTA. Patients who had successfully performed CCTA and carotid US assessment were included in this analysis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Chinese University of Hong Kong with written informed consent obtained from all participants. The study was conducted in compliance with the declaration of Helsinki.

Clinical assessment

Clinical assessments in all subject were described before.[22] Briefly, anthropomorphic measurements, disease features including pain, physicians’ and patients’ global assessments, number of tender and swollen joints (using the 68 tender/66 swollen joint count), number of joints irreversibly damaged, enthesitis, number of digits with dactylitis, levels of acute-phase reactant including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and (CRP) and functional disability as indicated by the health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) were included. Drug history was retrieved from case notes or elicited during the clinical assessment. Achievement of treatment target was assessed using MDA[23] and disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA).[24] Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides) were checked before CCTA and carotid US exam. FRS was used for assessing CV risk (FRS <10% indicates low CV risk, 10–19% indicates intermediate risk while ≥20% indicates high risk).[25]

Coronary atherosclerosis assessment

CCTA scans were performed as described before[10] by a 64-multidetector row Lightspeed VCT scanner (GE Healthcare), in accordance with the protocol employed in the ACCURACY trial[26] and were analysed by an experienced radiologist (KTW). Briefly, the presence, site and type of coronary plaque (including NCP, CP and MP) were reported. CAD was defined as the presence of any coronary plaque. Coronary arteries were standardised to American Heart Association 15-segment model.[27] Segment involvement score (SIS) represented the total number of segments harbouring plaque. Lesions rendering over 50% stenosis of the lumen were considered as O-CAD. TVD was defined as the presence of coronary plaque in left anterior descendent branch, left circumflex branch and right coronary artery. For patients having multiple plaques, the most stenotic one was recorded.

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaque

Measurement of cIMT, plaque and total plaque area (TPA) was performed by high-resolution B-mode US machine (Philips EPIQ7) as described before.[22] A single operator who were blinded to the CCTA results performed the US scan and corresponding offline measurement of US parameters. The mean and maximum cIMT in bilateral distal common carotid artery, bulb and proximal internal carotid artery were reported. Plaque was defined as a localised thickening >1.2 mm that do not uniformly involve the whole artery. TPA was the sum of size of all plaques in six segments. Reproducibility of cIMT was 0.97.[28]

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) and the MATLAB (R2019b, The MathWorks Inc, Natick, Massachusetts). Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical variables included frequencies, percentage, means and SD, median and IQR. Comparisons in demographic and clinical characteristics between subject with or without CAD, O-CAD and TVD were performed using χ2 test, independent samples t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test, depending on distribution of data. Univariate analyses were performed to look for covariates that were associated with CAD, O-CAD and TVD. The analyses on the association of carotid atherosclerosis and CAD, O-CAD and TVD were performed by the multivariate logistic regression models with adjustment for covariates that were associated with CAD, O-CAD and TVD (associations from univariate analyses with p<0.1).

The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the performance of various carotid US parameters and FRS in discriminating CAD/obstructive CAD. Cut-off values of the carotid US parameters and FRS with best combined sensitivity and specificity were determined according to the Youden index. Net reclassification index (NRI) was used to determine the extend to which employing the new model of carotid US parameters and FRS reclassify high CV risk based on the presence of CAD/O-CAD. A two-tailed probability value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Clinical features

Ninety-one patients (56 (61.5%) male, age: 50±11 years, disease duration: 9.4±9.2 years) were recruited. The median [IQR] interval between CCTA and carotid US assessment was 2 [1-7] months. Majority of patients were having mild to moderate disease activity (DAPSA: 21.3±13.3). Only 16 (18%) of patients achieved MDA. Most patients (60%) were on conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) while only 20% of patients were on biological DMARDs. Fifty-three (58.2%), 25 (27.5%) and 13 (14.3%) patients had low, intermediate and high CV risk according to the FRS with a mean FRS of 10.5±8.9% (table 1). Other clinical features and traditional CVD risk factors are listed in online supplemental table 1.

Table 1

Characteristics between patient with and without coronary artery disease and obstructive coronary artery disease

	No CAD (n=37)		CAD (n=54)		P value	No obstructive CAD (n=82)		Obstructive CAD (n=9)		P value
Demographics
Age	45	±12	53	±9	0.002	50	±11	56	±7	0.028
Gender, male	18	48.6%	38	70.4%	0.036	51	62.2%	5	55.6%	0.698
Disease duration and disease activity
Disease duration (years)	7.8	±7.6	10.8	±9.9	0.109	8.7	±8.6	17.9	±11.3	0.015
DAPSA(0–64)	20	(14, 23)	19	(10, 32)	0.608	13	(9,21)	6	(3,24)	0.972
Achieve MDA	6	16.2%	10	18.5%	0.777	13	15.9%	3	33.3%	0.191
Traditional CV risk score
Framingham risk score, %	6.3	±5.6	13.3	±9.7	<0.001	9.7	±8.5	17.8	±9.8	0.009
Framingham 10 year CV risk
Low	27	73.0%	26	48.1%	0.038	51	62.2%	2	22.2%	0.055
Intermediate	8	21.6%	17	31.5%		21	25.6%	4	44.4%
High	2	5.4%	11	20.4%		10	12.2%	3	33.3%
Modified Framingham risk score, %	9.5	±8.4	20	±14.5	<0.001	14.5	±12.7	26.6	±14.6	0.009
Modified Framingham 10 year CV risk
Low	24	64.9%	15	27.8%	<0.001	37	45.1%	2	22.2%	0.082
Intermediate	9	24.3%	16	29.6%		23	28.0%	2	22.2%
High	4	10.8%	23	42.6%		22	26.8%	5	55.6%
Current medication
Anti-hypertensive drug	6	16.2%	21	38.9%	0.021	21	25.6%	6	66.7%	0.037
Diabetic drug	2	5.4%	8	14.8%	0.188	7	8.5%	3	33.3%	0.076
NSAIDs	19	51.4%	30	55.6%	0.693	44	53.7%	5	55.6%	0.303
csDMARDs	20	54.1%	34	63.0%	0.395	48	58.5%	6	66.7%	0.281
bDMARDs	5	13.5%	15	27.8%	0.017	15	18.3%	5	55.6%	0.002

Bold values indicate p <0.05.

bDMARDs, biologic DMARDs; csDMARDs, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; DAPSA, disease activity in psoriatic arthritis; MDA, minimal disease activity; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Carotid atherosclerosis

The mean and maximum cIMT were 0.66±0.11 mm and 0.81± 0.16 mm, respectively. Carotid plaques were identified in 35 (38.5%) patients [median (IQR) of TPA: 11.89 mm2 (6.93–17.58)].

Coronary artery disease

Coronary plaques were identified in 54 (59.3%) patients (CAD+ group). Seven (13%) patients had chest pain. High-risk MP/NCPs were identified in 47 (51.6%) patients. Twelve (13.3%) patients had three-vessel disease and nine (9.9%) patients had obstructive CAD. Table 1 summarises the clinical features and traditional CV risk factors of patients with (CAD+ group) and without (CAD− group) coronary plaques.

Identification of CAD by FRS/mFRS

Twenty per cent and 33% of patients with CAD and O-CAD were correctly identified as having high CV risk according to FRS (figure 1A,B); the proportion increased to 43% and 56%, respectively, using the mFRS (figure 1C,D).

CV risk classification based on Framingham risk score and modified Framingham risk score.

Reclassification of CV risk based on the presence of carotid plaque

Twenty-five out of 78 (32%) patients with low to intermediate CV risk based on the FRS were reclassified as having high CV risk based on the presence of carotid plaque. Sixteen out of these 25 (64%) patients had CAD, and 2/16 (12.5%) had significant stenosis. Using mFRS, 19 out of 64 (30%) patients with low to intermediate CV risk based on mFRS were reclassified to high CV risk based on the presence of carotid plaque. Eleven out of 19 (58%) had CAD and 1/19 (11%) had significant stenosis.

Association of carotid ultrasound parameters in patients with CAD

The mean and maximum (max) cIMT were significantly higher in the CAD+ group compared with the CAD− group (mean cIMT in CAD+ group: 0.69±0.1 mm vs CAD− group: 0.63±0.12 mm, p=0.017; max cIMT in CAD+ group: 0.84±0.14 mm vs CAD− group: 0.77±0.17 mm, p=0.040] (table 2). The prevalence of carotid plaque was similar in both groups. Nonetheless, there was a trend suggesting a larger TPA in the CAD+ group compared with the CAD− group (p=0.059). Using multivariate logistic regression, increased cIMT was an independent explanatory variable for CAD after adjustment of baseline covariates. The OR for every 0.01 mm increase in mean cIMT was 1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.11, p=0.013) (table 3).

Table 2

Relationship between carotid ultrasound parameters and the presence and extent of coronary artery disease

	Coronary artery disease							P value
	No (n=37)				Yes (n=54)
Mean carotid IMT, mm	0.63		±	0.12	0.69	±	0.1	0.017
Maximum carotid IMT, mm	0.77		±	0.17	0.84	±	0.14	0.040
Carotid plaque, n, %
Absence	26			46.4%	30		53.6%	0.156
Presence	11			31.4%	24		68.6%
Total plaque area, mm2	0.0			[0, 6]	0.0		[0, 10.8]	0.059
	Obstructive coronary artery disease
	No (n=82)				Yes (n=9)			P value
Mean carotid IMT, mm	0.65		±	0.12	0.76	±	0.07	0.011
Maximum carotid IMT, mm	0.80		±	0.16	0.93	±	0.14	0.020
Carotid plaque, n, %
Absence	53			93.0%	4		7.0%	0.235
Presence	29			85.3%	5		14.7%
Total plaque area, mm2	0.0			[0, 7.0]	6.0		[0, 15.3]	0.103
	Three-vessel disease
	No (n=79)				Yes (n=12)			P value
Mean carotid IMT, mm	0.65		±	0.12	0.72	±	0.07	0.015
Maximum carotid IMT, mm	0.80		±	0.16	0.87	±	0.08	0.126
Carotid plaque, n, %
Absence	51			91%	5		9%	0.129
Presence	28			80%	7		20%
Total plaque area, mm2	0.0			[0, 7.0]	6.8		[0, 17. 6]	0.050

Bold values indicate p <0.05.

O-CAD was defined as >50% stenosis of the lumen. Three-vessel disease was defined as presence of coronary plaque in left anterior descendent branch, left circumflex branch and right coronary artery.

IMT, intima mediaintima-media thickness.

Table 3

Multi-variate analysis on association between carotid ultrasound parameters and coronary artery disease and significant stenosis

	OR	95% CI	P value
Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD)*
Mean cIMT (per 0.01 mm)	1.06	1.01–1.11	0.013
Presence of obstructive CAD
Model 1—mean IMT
Disease duration (years)	1.07	1.00–1.15	0.070
Use of biologics	4.30	0.96–20.10	0.057
Mean cIMT (per 0.01 mm)	1.07	1.00–1.15	0.042
Model 2—max IMT
Disease duration (years)	1.08	1.00–1.16	0.047
Use of biologics	6.03	1.20–30.18	0.029
Maximum cIMT (per 0.01 mm)	1.06	1.00–1.13	0.043
Model 3—total plaque area
Disease duration (years)	1.08	1.00–1.17	0.041
Use of biologics	4.43	0.95–20.71	0.059
Total plaque area (per 0.1mm†)	1.55	1.01–2.36	0.043

Bold values indicate p <0.05.

*Adjusted for use of biologics and Framingham risk score.

†Adjusted for disease duration, use of biologics and Framingham risk score.

cIMT, carotid intima-media thickness.

Association of carotid ultrasound parameters in patients with O-CAD

Among the nine patients with lesions rendering over 50% stenosis of the lumen (O-CAD+ group), only one patient had non-specific chest pain. Four (44%) patients had all types of plaque, 4 (44%) patients had NCP only, while 1 (11%) patient had both CP and MP. Table 1 summarises the clinical features and traditional CV risk factors of the patients with and without O-CAD. The cIMT were significantly higher in the O-CAD+ group when compared with those without significant stenosis (O-CAD− group) [mean cIMT: 0.76±0.07 mm vs 0.65±0.12 mm, respectively, p=0.011; max cIMT: 0.93±0.14 mm vs 0.80±0.16 mm, respectively, p=0.020] (table 2). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, mean cIMT, max cIMT and TPA were independent explanatory variables associated with O-CAD after adjusting for covariates. The ORs of having O-CAD for every 0.01 mm increase in mean and max cIMT were 1.07 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.15, p=0.042) and 1.06 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.11, p=0.036), respectively, while the OR for every 0.1 mm2 increase in TPA for significant stenosis was 1.55 (95% CI 1.013 to 2.359, p=0.043) (table 3).

Association of carotid ultrasound parameters in patients with TVD

Twelve (13.2%) patients had TVD. The mean cIMT and TPA were significantly higher for patients with TVD when compared with those without TVD (table 2). No carotid US parameters were identified as independent explanatory variables associated with TVD (results not shown).

Association of carotid ultrasound parameters with presence of calcified plaque, mixed plaque and soft plaque

In general, mean and maximum IMT were significantly higher in patients with calcified plaque, MP and soft plaque, respectively. A trend of a higher TPA was also observed in patients with various types of plaque. The association of carotid US parameters in patients with calcified plaque, MP and soft plaque is shown in online supplemental table 2.

The performance of FRS and mFRS at the 20% cut-off (indicating high CV risk) in discriminating patients with and without CAD/O-CAD was sub-optimal with low sensitivity (table 4). The optimal cut-offs for FRS in discriminating CAD and O-CAD were 5.2% and 10.7%, respectively, while the optimal cut-offs for mFRS in discriminating CAD and O-CAD were 7.9% and 16.1%, respectively.

Table 4

Performance of carotid ultrasound parameters and Framingham risk scores in discriminating presence of CAD/obstructive CAD

	AUC	P value	Cut-off	Sensitivity (%)	Specificity (%)
Presence of coronary artery disease (CAD)
Carotid ultrasound parameters
Mean cIMT	0.67	0.007	0.62 mm	76%	60%
Maximum cIMT	0.65	0.017	0.77 mm	72%	57%
Presence of carotid plaque	0.57	0.061	–	44%	70%
TPA	0.58	0.063	11.95 mm2	25%	94%
FRS and mFRS
FRS	0.76	<0.001	5.2%	81%	62%
FRS high risk (FRS ≥20%)	0.58	0.227	20%	20%	95%
mFRS	0.76	<0.001	7.9%	81%	62%
mFRS high risk (mFRS ≥20%)	0.66	0.010	20%	43%	89%
Combination model
FRS >5% & mean cIMT >0.62 mm	0.71	0.001	–	67%	76%
mFRS >8% & mean cIMT >0.62 mm	0.74	<0.001	–	67%	81%
Presence of obstructive CAD
Carotid ultrasound parameters
Mean cIMT	0.80	0.004	0.73 mm	78%	78%
Maximum cIMT	0.71	0.037	0.78 mm	100%	45%
Presence of carotid plaque	0.60	0.352	–	56%	65%
TPA	0.64	0.164	1.25 mm2	44%	87%
FRS and mFRS
FRS	0.76	0.012	10.7%	78%	65%
FRS ≥20%	0.61	0.300	20%	33%	88%
mFRS	0.76	0.012	16.1%	78%	65%
mFRS ≥20%	0.64	0.159	20%	56%	73%
Combination model
FRS >10% & mean cIMT >0.73 mm	0.71	0.045	–	56%	85%
mFRS >16% and mean cIMT >0.73 mm	0.71	0.045	–	100%	59%

Bold values indicate p <0.05.

cIMT, carotid intima media thickness; FRS, Framingham risk score; mFRS, Modified Framingham risk score; TPA, total plaque area.

The performance of mean cIMT was the best among all the carotid US parameters in discriminating patients with and without CAD (AUC=0.67, p=0.007, sensitivity: 76%, specificity: 60%). The optimal cut-off for mean cIMT in discriminating CAD was 0.62 mm. Using a combination of mFRS >8% and mean cIMT >0.62 mm, the AUC and specificity for discriminating CAD was increased to 0.74% and 81% respectively, although the sensitivity decreased to 67%. Using this combination model of mFRS >8% and mean cIMT >0.62 mm, 15 out of 31 (48%) patients in mFRS-based low-intermediate CV risk group with CAD were reclassified to high-risk group with an NRI of 0.33 (p=0.006) (table 5).

Table 5

Reclassification of combined model when compared with FRS ≥20% model

	NRI	P value
Predicting CAD
FRS >5% and mean cIMT >0.62 mm	0.27	0.030
mFRS >8% and mean cIMT >0.62 mm	0.33	0.006
Predicting O-CAD
FRS >10% and mean cIMT >0.73 mm	0.20	0.224
mFRS >16% and mean cIMT >0.73 mm	0.20	0.224

Bold values indicate p <0.05.

CAD, coronary artery disease; cIMT, carotid intima-media thickness; FRS, Framingham risk score; mFRS, Modified Framingham risk score; NRI, net reclassification index; O-CAD, obstructive artery disease.

Discriminatory performance of cIMT for the presence of O-CAD was also the best (AUC=0.80, p=0.004, sensitivity: 78%, specificity: 78%, optimal cut-off: 0.73 mm). The combination of mFRS >16% and mean cIMT >0.73 mm increased the sensitivity to 100%. Nonetheless, the specificity became much lower. The details of other parameters are listed in table 4.

Sub-group analysis in patients without carotid plaque

As carotid plaques were only identified in 35 (38.5%) patients, we performed a sub-group analysis in patients without carotid plaque to address the performance of cIMT in discriminating patients with and without CAD. The mean IMT was higher in patients with CAD (0.68 ±0.11 mm CAD+ group vs 0.62 ±0.11 mm in CAD− group, p=0.035). The optimal cut-off of mean IMT for the presence of CAD was 0.65 mm (AUC: 0.67, p=0.033, sensitivity: 70%, specificity: 65%).

DISCUSSION

This is the first study to evaluate the association between carotid and CAD focusing on patients with PsA using carotid US and CCTA. We have clearly demonstrated the low sensitivity of using FRS ≥20% as a cut-off in discriminating patients with and without CAD. On the other hand, carotid US parameters including increased cIMT and the extent of carotid plaque (reflected by the TPA) were associated with CAD and significant coronary stenosis. More importantly, mean cIMT has the highest utility in identifying patients in need of further CV risk factor interventions.

We have shown that increased cIMT was an independent explanatory variable associated with CAD in PsA, which concurred with a previous study in patients with inflammatory joint diseases reporting an identical OR of 1.06 for every 0.01 mm increase in cIMT.[21] The lack of standardisation of definitions and measurements, together with the high variability and low reproducibility precluded the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines from recommending cIMT in the assessment of CV risk.[6] With the advancement of technology, full-length assessment of cIMT in multiple orientations with automated measurement is now possible, which could improve the accuracy and reliability of the assessment.[29] Indeed, cIMT was able to predict incident CV event in PsA[17] and RA.[30]

In this study, the presence of carotid plaque alone was unable to discriminate patients with and without CAD or significant stenosis similar to a previous study.[21] The prevalence of CAD and significant stenosis in patients with carotid plaque were 44% and 7%, respectively, which was lower than the previous study (the prevalence of CAD and significant stenosis was 65% and 14%, respectively, for patients harbouring carotid plaque) as we include patients without carotid plaque as well.[21] These differential findings may be due to the heterogeneous expression of atherosclerosis in carotid and coronary system.[31] Moreover, carotid plaque might be underestimated by US when compared with carotid CTA.[32] Whether the presence of carotid plaque may still predict increased risk of developing CV events in PsA patients similar to the general population[33] and patients with RA[34] would need to be confirmed in future studies.

Data from the current study also highlighted an important fact that the absence of carotid plaque does not equal low CV risk, as 30 out of 56 (53.6%) patients in this subgroup had CAD. More importantly, we have demonstrated that mean cIMT could be used to discriminate between patients with or without CAD even in patient without carotid plaque.

As a clinician, we were advised to perform CV risk scores to select high-risk patients for the commencement of statins. Based on the current study, the optimal cut-off for FRS in discriminating CAD was at 5%, similar to 7.3% in a study with RA patients.[35] We would definitely under-treat if we choose an FRS cut-off at 20%. Nonetheless, choosing the optimal cut-off at FRS >5% most likely will lead to over-treatment. In this scenario, choosing a combination of FRS >5% and cIMT >0.62 mm could be a reasonable option with a statistically better NRI compared with FRS≥20%. Indeed, a retrospective study has reported that an expanded model of cIMT measurement with FRS, but not the presence of carotid plaque or TPA, provided incremental predictive accuracy for CV risk reclassification based on CV events outcome.[29] Carotid US may not be routinely available in most rheumatologists’ practice. Nonetheless, as musculoskeletal US has been widely adopted, this should not be a key limitation with further training by experienced sonographer if further studies have confirmed the clinical utility of this combination model of IMT with FRS in predicting CV events in PsA.

The strength of this study includes the use of CCTA as a surrogate marker of high CV risk, which is closely associated with cardiac events in the general population.[11-13] Given the high cost and the radiation exposure associated with CCTA, non-invasive carotid US assessment in patients with an FRS >5% might be a reasonable tool CV risk stratification for asymptomatic patients. Indeed, carotid US has been recommended as part of the CV risk evaluation in patients with RA.[2]

Our study had some limitations. First, the small number of patients with significant stenosis (n=9), TVD (n=12) and carotid plaque limited the extent of investigation. We did not find that a combination of FRS >10% and mean cIMT >0.73 mm could enhance reclassification for O-CAD. This finding would need to be confirmed by future study with a larger sample size. Second, high-resolution US may not be very sensitive in detecting carotid plaques, other imaging modalities including carotid CT, MRI or 3D-US might be more useful to assess the association between carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. Third, the current study is investigating the correlation between a combination of FRS and carotid US parameters with the presence of coronary plaque as a surrogate of high CV risk. To date, there are limited data on the association between the presence of coronary plaque and risk of future CV events in patients of PsA. Future prospective study is warranted to confirm whether these parameters can predict CV events. Fourth, other than CCTA, other potential endpoint using stress test or coronary angiogram might also be used in patients with PsA, in whom previous study had shown reasonably association with carotid US parameters.[36] Last but not least, the subjects in current study had mild to moderate disease activity, whether these findings may be applicable to patients with high disease activity will need to be addressed in the future. In addition, in the era of artificial intelligent (AI) and machined-based learning (ML), new prediction logarithm incorporating both traditional CV risk factors and imaging feature by AI and ML is made possible in general population and patients with RA. Such model might also be extended to patients with PsA and further improve CV risk stratification.[37 38]

CONCLUSION

While the presence of carotid plaque alone was insufficient to discriminate patients with PsA with or without CAD, a combination of FRS and cIMT may be considered for CV risk stratification in these patients.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are of increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Performance of Framingham risk score (FRS) in discriminating patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) is suboptimal.

This study is the first to report the association between carotid and coronary artery disease in patients with PsA using carotid ultrasound and coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Data from this study suggest that a combination of Framingham risk score and carotid intima-media thickness may be considered for cardiovascular risk stratification in these patients.