Review
Open Access

Cardiovascular risk in pediatric-onset rheumatological diseases

Arthritis Research & Therapy201315:212

https://doi.org/10.1186/ar4212

©  BioMed Central Ltd 2013

Published: 22 May 2013

Abstract

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are becoming major health concerns for adults with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The enhanced atherogenesis in this patient population is promoted by the exposure to traditional risk factors as well as nontraditional cardiovascular insults, such as corticosteroid therapy, chronic inflammation and autoantibodies. Despite definite differences between many adult-onset and pediatric-onset rheumatologic diseases, it is extremely likely that atherosclerosis will become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this pediatric patient population. Because cardiovascular events are rare at this young age, surrogate measures of atherosclerosis must be used. The three major noninvasive vascular measures of early atherosclerosis - namely, flow-mediated dilatation, carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity - can be performed easily on children. Few studies have explored the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and even fewer have used the surrogate vascular measures to document signs of early atherosclerosis in children with pediatric-onset rheumatic diseases. The objective of this review is to provide an overview on cardiovascular risk and early atherosclerosis in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and juvenile dermatomyositis patients, and to review cardiovascular preventive strategies that should be considered in this population.

Introduction

Advances made in the field of pediatric rheumatology over the last decades have led to a significant decrease in mortality rates. Patients are now surviving into adulthood and have to face the many challenges imposed by their chronic illness. As a result of better treatments it is likely that cardiovascular disease will emerge as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The interplay between traditional cardiovascular risk factors, exposure to corticosteroids and chronic inflammation creates a perfect storm for early atherogenesis in this population.

Atherosclerosis is now being increasingly recognized in adults with inflammatory rheumatic diseases but there is little information pertaining to pediatric-onset rheumatologic conditions [1]. The objectives of this review are to summarize the current state of knowledge on cardiovascular risk and accelerated atherosclerosis in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), and to discuss atherosclerosis preventive strategies that should be considered in this patient population.

Measuring atherosclerosis in children

Although cardiovascular events are the true markers of atherosclerosis in rheumatic diseases, including those in adults, examining cardiovascular risk factors and/or preventive strategies for atherosclerosis are limited by sample size, and therefore surrogate outcome markers (vascular measures of early atherosclerosis) are required. Currently there are three major vascular markers that have been validated as measures of early atherosclerosis: flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Endothelial injury is an important initial event in the development of atherosclerosis and therefore measurement of endothelial function can serve as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis [2]. Vascular ultrasound of the brachial artery under conditions of FMD after reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent vasodilatation) and in response to glyceryl trinitrate (endothelium-independent vasodilatation) are noninvasive techniques to measure endothelial function. The severity and long-term risk of coronary artery disease has been well correlated with FMD [3, 4].

Ultrasound study of CIMT is a reproducible, validated measurement, and increased CIMT and the presence of plaques are predictive of future coronary artery disease and stroke [5]. Meta-analyses and reviews have repeatedly shown that CIMT can predict the risk of future cardiac events and that change over time and a reduction in CIMT is associated with a reduction in incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events [6, 7].

PWV is a noninvasive, reliable and reproducible way of measuring early changes in arterial wall stiffness and arterial distensibility [8]. Increased PWV has been demonstrated in both coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease [9].

Although data are still lacking on the predictive value of these surrogate markers for future events in pediatric patients, a scientific statement from the American Heart Association stated that these studies detect subclinical vascular disease and therefore can identify children at risk for CVD [10]. Endothelial dysfunction may be found in multiple pediatric rheumatologic diseases and its effects on vascular markers need to be better characterized. Abnormal vascular measures could result from transient, inflammation-induced endothelial dysfunction and not from atherosclerosis per se. Interpretation of these surrogate markers should be made with caution until better methods of distinguishing these phenomena are developed.

Pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

PSLE is a life-long autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, the production of autoantibodies and the frequent use of corticosteroid therapy. Disease onset before age 18 (pSLE) accounts for approximately 15% of all cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [11]. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adult SLE [12]. Although there has been a significant improvement in standardized all-cause mortality rates in adult SLE patients over time, the mortality secondary to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases has not significantly changed [13].

One of the few studies to report on the long-term burden of CVD in pSLE, the Lupus Outcome Study demonstrated that patients with onset of SLE during childhood not only had a similar incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) to subjects with adult-onset disease but that the first MI occurred at a much earlier mean age (32 years) [14]. Using data from this study and age-matched cardiovascular data, by early adulthood pSLE patients have a 100-fold to 300-fold increased risk of death from CVD as compared with age-matched controls [15, 16]. However, large prospective long-term cohort studies following patients with pSLE into adulthood are required to determine the true extent of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Until these collaborative studies are performed, we need to rely on markers of vascular function as surrogates for atherosclerotic events.

Evidence of early atherosclerosis in pSLE

Because many years of exposure to atherosclerosis risk factors are required before a cardiovascular event occurs, we cannot rely on the incidence of hard outcomes to assess for atherosclerosis in pSLE and other pediatric rheumatic diseases. The noninvasive vascular assessment techniques of CIMT, FMD and PWV described above therefore play a central role in the detection of early atherosclerosis in pSLE. The major problem when comparing and reviewing studies in pSLE is the heterogeneity of the population studied, the small sample sizes of each study, the different covariates included in the analysis and the differing vascular study protocols used (Table 1) [17–23]. These factors may lead to both type I and type II errors when determining the incidence and prevalence of early atherosclerosis in pSLE. However, despite these limitations, certain conclusions can be made. As seen in studies of adult SLE, PWV may be the best measure to detect the earliest changes of atherosclerosis in pSLE. Furthermore, it has been suggested that PWV and CIMT may measure different vascular damage [24].
Table 1

Carotid intima-media thickness in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

 

Falaschi and colleagues [19]

Bowser and colleagues [18]

Huang and colleagues [20]

Schanberg and colleagues [22]

Boros and colleagues [17]

Pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

     

   Number

26

19

76

221

31

   Age (years)

17.1 ± 4.4

16.9 ± 2.3

15.0 ± 3.5

15.7 ± 2.6

15.3 ± 1.9

   Disease duration (years)

5.5 ± 3.4

3.2 ± 2.5

2.6 ± 2.5

2.6 ± 2.4

2.6 ± 0.3

   CIMT (mm)

0.57 ± 0.05

0.48 ± 0.049

0.63 ± 0.08

0.59 ± 0.05

Right, -0.12a; left, -0.10a

Controls

   Number

26

15

38

None

60

   Age (years)

Matched

16.7 ± 2.1

16.4 ± 3.9

None

15.9 ± 1.9

   CIMT (mm)

0.54 ± 0.03

0.454 ± 0.041

0.54 ± 0.06

None

-

Values presented as mean ± standard deviation unless otherwise specified. CIMT, carotid intima-media thickness. az-score.

Cross-sectional studies of CIMT reported varied results as compared with age-matched controls, probably as a result of the differing vascular study protocols used. Despite these limitations, the average annual rate of progression of CIMT in pSLE patients is small (between 0.0016 and 0.0024 mm/year) (Table 2). This rate of change in CIMT is similar to that in a study of 247 healthy Caucasian adolescents, which found a rate of change of 0.02 mm over a 10-year period (average 0.002 mm/year) [25]. In contrast, in the Atherosclerosis Prevention in Pediatric Lupus Erythematosus (APPLE) trial, the progression rates of all but one of the diverse CIMT measurements carried out on the enrolled placebo-treated pSLE patients showed higher numerical values than those reported in the healthy adolescent cohort, suggesting accelerated atherosclerosis in this large pSLE cohort [26]. More large-scale longitudinal studies are required to determine whether CIMT progression in pSLE truly follows an abnormal trajectory. Adjustment for factors that influence CIMT in childhood, such as age, height, body mass index and blood pressure, should be made to ensure appropriate conclusions are drawn [25].
Table 2

Serial carotid intima-media thickness measurements in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Source

Number (% female)

Age (years)

Disease duration (years)

Frequency of CIMT assessment

CIMT progression (mm/year)

Huang and colleagues [20]

76 (90%)

15.0 ± 3.5

2.7 ± 2.5

Baseline and every 6 monthsa

0.0016 ± 0.0016b

Schanberg and colleagues [26]

108 (82%)c

15.8 ± 2.5

2.5 ± 2.3

Baseline, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months

0.0024 (0.0007, 0.0040)d

 

113 (84%)e

15.7 ± 2.8

2.7 ± 2.4

 

0.0010 (-0.0006, 0.0026)d

Values presented as mean ± standard deviation, unless otherwise specified. CIMT, carotid intima-media thickness. aMean number of CIMT assessments performed: 4.6 ± 1.6. bMean ± standard error; CIMT adjusted for age at diagnosis. cSubjects were in the placebo arm of the Atherosclerosis Prevention in Pediatric Lupus Erythematosus (APPLE) trial. dCIMT presented as mean (95% confidence interval). eSubjects were in the atorvastatin arm of the APPLE trial.

Elevated PWV has been described in pSLE patients [17]. Interestingly, this later study was carried out on pSLE subjects relatively early in their disease course who had low disease activity. Despite this, a significant difference from healthy controls was found. This might suggest that atherogenesis starts early in these patients and may affect even those with low disease activity.

Measures of brachial artery reactivity (FMD) show the most variation and the significance of these measurements is not clear. Most studies have examined patients with short disease duration and therefore they may not reflect the long-term burden of atherosclerosis in pSLE subjects [17, 23].

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Even though factors associated with progression of subclinical atherosclerosis have not been well explored in pSLE, traditional and nontraditional risk factors are being increasingly recognized to be present in this patient population.

Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in pSLE

Dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, smoking and family history of early CVD are all considered traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis development. As compared with adult SLE patients, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes and smoking are not commonly encountered in pediatric patients. In contrast, dyslipidemia - one of the key precursors of early atherosclerosis - has been shown to be present with increased frequency in pSLE when compared with the general pediatric population.

Dyslipidemia

As early as 1988 it was recognized that both adult and pediatric SLE patients with active disease, prior to corticosteroid therapy, had elevated triglycerides (TGs) and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and had depressed high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I - often referred to as the active lupus lipid profile [27, 28]. The lipid profile of elevated TGs and depressed HDL-C is not specific for SLE but rather is common to multiple inflammatory states.

Later studies showed that lipid abnormalities were common in newly diagnosed pSLE patients, prior to the start of corticosteroid treatment [29]. Among a group of 54 recently diagnosed and untreated pSLE subjects, at least one lipid abnormality was found in 63% of patients - elevated TGs in 62%, abnormally low HDL-C in 24%, hypercholesterolemia in 20% and elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 4% - and one patient had an abnormal level of all four lipids [29].

The cross-sectional APPLE trial found mean TG, LDL-C and HDL-C levels that were in the normal ranges [30]. The most common lipid abnormality was also elevated TG levels, found in nearly 30% of subjects.

The differences between these two studies are probably the result of the lower disease activity, longer disease duration and immunosuppressive therapies of patients in the APPLE trial as compared with the untreated, active patients in the former study.

The dyslipidemia seen in pSLE patients is multifactorial. Cytokines, autoantibodies, medications, dietary intake, renal disease, physical activities and genetics factors are all likely important contributors. As in other diseases, nephrotic-range proteinuria is associated with higher total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in pSLE [19]. In addition, other investigators have shown that lower levels of proteinuria (defined as ≥200 mg/day but <3.5 g/day) were associated with abnormal lipid levels, again demonstrating the importance of renal disease in the dyslipidemia of pSLE [31].

There are few longitudinal studies that have examined serial lipid levels in pSLE subjects [31, 32]. In an inception cohort of 139 pSLE patients followed annually from diagnosis up to 3 years, it was shown that the highest levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C and TG and the lowest levels of HDL-C were found at diagnosis, prior to onset of therapy [32]. On follow-up, these same investigators found that the most important factors influencing lipid levels were changes in disease activity and prednisone dose [31]. When controlling for disease activity, a reduction in the prednisone dose was associated with an overall improved lipid profile. A key concept emerges from these studies: when disease activity is brought under control, steroid therapy is being weaned and proteinuria improves, the lipid values normalize. These results suggest that disease control rather than long-termlipid-lowering therapy may be the most important factor to control dyslipidemia in pSLE.

Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

Both insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are present in SLE [32–35]. In pSLE, fasting insulin levels, hemoglobin A1C and insulin C-peptide levels were elevated, although Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance values were normal in the majority of patients [17, 36]. Obesity, chronic inflammation, and corticosteroid therapy all can contribute to insulin resistance [37–39]. However, elevated fasting insulin levels and hyperinsulinemia were not restricted to patients on corticosteroids or to obese patients. Insulin resistance may also be secondary to a chronic inflammatory state including SLE. A rare cause of insulin resistance (type B insulin resistance) is the presence of antibodies against the insulin receptor. These antibodies result in hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans, and the majority of patients with anti-insulin receptor antibodies have SLE [40]. Of note, patients with anti-insulin receptor antibodies may present with and/or develop hypoglycemia. Despite the presence of insulin resistance and/or metabolic syndrome in patients with pSLE, there is no evidence of an increased prevalence of overt type I or type II diabetes mellitus in pSLE or adult SLE [41]. Patients are, however, at risk for steroid-induced diabetes.

Nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease in pSLE

In adult SLE patients, traditional risk factors alone are not sufficient to explain the enhanced risk of cardiovascular events. Indeed, after controlling for the Framingham risk factors, SLE patients have a 17-fold increased risk of mortality from coronary heart disease and a 10-fold increase risk of nonfatal MI [42].

Hyperhomocysteinemia

In studies of otherwise healthy individuals it is not clear whether an elevated homocysteine plasma level is a causal factor or simply a biomarker for atherosclerosis. An etiologic role of hyperhomocysteinemia in atherosclerosis is supported by the multiple proatherogenic effects of hyperhomocysteinemia: induction of endothelial cell dysfunction; increased oxidative stress; and promotion of transcription of proinflammatory cytokine genes via activation of the NF-κB pathway [43–45]. However, the failure of most trials of homocysteine-lowering therapy to decrease cardiovascular risk in large randomized studies has cast doubt on the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in atherosclerosis [46, 47]. Studies of both pSLE and adult SLE patients have shown elevated plasma homocysteine levels. However, there was no correlation between elevated homocysteine levels and vascular markers of early atherosclerosis [17, 48, 49].

Cytokines and adipokines

An imbalance between endothelial cell damage and repair has been demonstrated to occur in SLE [50, 51]. These abnormalities as well as recruitment of macrophages to arteries, enhanced formation of foam cells and platelet activation have all been shown to be induced by type I interferons [52–54]. Increased serum type I interferon activity was shown to be a predictor of abnormal FMD and increased CIMT in adult SLE patients [55]. Similar studies have not been conducted in pSLE but, as the interferon signature is seen in pSLE [56], type I interferon may be an important disease-related factor promoting atherosclerosis.

Elevated levels of other multiple proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IFNγ and TNFα, have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis in otherwise healthy populations [57–59]. Although elevated levels of IL-6 are present in adults with SLE and these levels have been shown to correlate with C-reactive protein and abnormal lipid levels, no association between IL-6 and the presence or progression of atherosclerosis has been found in SLE [60–64].

Adiponectin, leptin and ghrelin all belong to the adipokine family of molecules. Synthesized by adipous tissue, these molecules influence energy homeostasis, lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity and regulate appetite. Evidence is emerging that adiponectin might be a protective mediator of atherosclerosis, because in non-SLE populations lower levels of adiponectin were associated with a higher risk of MI [65]. In contrast, high levels of adiponectin were observed in adult SLE and other inflammatory states. However, there has been no consistent correlation between adipokine levels and early markers of atherosclerosis in adult SLE [66–69]. A prospective study of pSLE patients found no significant difference in adiponectin levels between 105 pSLE patients and a group of healthy controls, although seven pSLE subjects had elevated levels [70]. No studies have explored factors associated with changes in adipokine levels over time or the predictive value of these molecules for the progression of atherosclerosis in pSLE.

Further studies are needed to define whether cytokines, chemokines and adipokines drive the development and progression of atherosclerosis or are protective. These potential biomarkers could guide physicians in stratifying CVD risk in pSLE patients.

Autoantibodies

Lupus is characterized by circulating antibodies of multiple specificities, including anti-phospholipid, anti-endothelial cells, anti-apolipoprotein A-I, anti-HDL-C, anti-lipoprotein(a), anti-oxidized LDL-C and anti-lipoprotein lipase antibodies. The presence of these auto-antibodies against these key constituents in the atherosclerosis cascade has been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis in SLE. In pSLE patients, both antiphos pholipid and anti-oxidized LDL-C antibodies have been found [23, 71].

Chronic kidney disease

Lupus nephritis is a common disease manifestation of pSLE. In a minority of patients, renal involvement leads to altered glomerular filtration rate and even to end-stage renal disease. Although not a traditional cardiovascular risk factor, chronic kidney disease is a major contributor to the onset and progression of accelerated atherosclerosis in this subgroup of individuals. Analysis of the US Renal Data System, a database comprising patients on chronic dialysis therapy or patients who had received a renal transplantation, revealed that the risk of death was twice as high in pSLE end-stage renal disease patients when compared with pediatric patients with non-SLE-related end-stage renal disease [72]. Seventy-five percent of those deaths were due to cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrest.

A correlation between the duration of end-stage renal disease and CIMT as well as improvement of CIMT post renal transplantation has been described in pediatric chronic kidney disease patients [73, 74]. Similar risk factors for atherosclerosis may be found in both SLE and chronic kidney disease patients: hypertension, dyslipidemia, a chronic inflammatory state, oxidative stress and underlying endothelial dysfunction [75–79]. The coexistence of this double hit and of other chronic kidney disease-specific risk factors, including activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems as well as enhanced vascular calcification due to metabolic derangements, lead to a strong proatherogenic milieu. Special attention should therefore be given to pSLE patients with chronic kidney disease as they are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

There is a significant gap in knowledge on factors leading to accelerated atherosclerosis and long-term cardio vascular outcomes in pSLE. Identifying key predictors of CVD in this vulnerable population is crucial. This will enable pediatric rheumatologists to identify early on patients at highest risk and to prioritize the implementation of preventive strategies.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

JIA is the most common rheumatologic disease of childhood. JIA encompasses diverse disease subtypes with marked variation in the level of systemic inflammation. Adults with multiple forms of inflammatory arthritis have been shown to have premature atherosclerosis and an increased morbidity and mortality secondary to atherosclerosis [80]. In fact, it has been shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis probably have a similar risk for atherosclerosis as those with type 2 diabetes mellitus [81]. Despite the diversity of the clinical manifestations of the different JIA subsets, most patients have evidence of chronic inflammation and therefore are probably at risk for early atherosclerosis. Different disease subtypes probably have distinct risk profiles.

There is a paucity of data on the risk or outcome of artherosclerosis in JIA patients with respect to morbidity and mortality. One autopsy study had suggested that 30% of children with JIA had evidence of atherosclerosis [82]. A small study from Poland showed that the mean CIMT was within the published normal range although increased CIMT was associated with disease duration [83, 84]. A review of the English-language literature revealed only three reports that assessed surrogate measures of atherosclerosis in children with JIA (Table 3) [85–87]. The first reported study, using magnetic resonance imaging, showed that JIA patients had increased aortic stiffness, lower aortic distensibility and increased PWV, as compared with controls, suggestive of subclinical atherosclerosis [85]. The only association with increased PWV was age. A subsequent comprehensive study showed normal CIMT and PWV but abnormal FMD in JIA patients. Post-hoc analysis suggested that the abnormal FMD was probably related to the inflammatory state of the JIA patients at time of measurement. There was no difference between patients with active and inactive JIA for any of the vascular markers. Not surprisingly, patients with systemic JIA - the subtype of JIA characterized by the most significant chronic inflammation - had the highest CIMT. However, only seven systemic JIA patients were tested [87]. The most recent study reported that prepubertal JIA patients (only oligoarticular and polyarticular subtypes) had significantly increased CIMT as compared with controls. At follow-up after 1 year of individualized therapy that was associated with improved disease control and decreased inflammation, there was a significant decrease in CIMT [86]. In this study, CIMT was associated with LDL-C and IL-1 levels. Overall, the small number of patients and the predominance of subjects with oligoarticular JIA, the least inflammatory subtype, make the generalizability of these findings questionable. Children with systemic JIA are probably at a much higher risk of accelerated atherosclerosis than those with oligoarticular or poly-articular JIA. Future studies should address the question by specific disease subtypes.
Table 3

Vascular measures of atherosclerosis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

 

Argyropoulou and colleagues [85]

Vlahos and colleagues [87]

Breda and colleagues [86]

JIA ( n)

31

30

38

   Oligoarticular subtype

18

15

-

   Polyarticular subtype

6

8

-

   Systemic subtype

7

7

-

Age (years)

13.6 (3.4 to 26.2)

12.0 ± 3.0

7.1 ± 2.4

Disease duration (years)

9.1 ± 5.4

6.6 ± 3.8

22.9

CIMT (mm)

Not reported

0.46 ± 0.03 (patients) vs. 0.45 ± 0.03 (controls)

0.38 ± 0.05 (patients)a vs. 0.31 ± 0.05 (controls)

FMD (%)

Not reported

7.10 ± 2.23 (patients)b vs. 9.93 ± 3.90 (controls)

Not reported

PWV (m/s)

3.68 ± 1.59 (patients)a vs. 1.38 ± 0.54 (controls)

5.5 ± 0.9 (patients) vs. 5.7 ± 1.0 (controls)

Not reported

Inflammatory markers

Not reported

Increased

Increased

Cytokines/endothelial activation

Not reported

Increased

Increased

Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation or median (range), unless otherwise specified. CIMT, carotid intima-media thickness; FMD, flow-mediated dilatation; JIA, juvenile idiopathic arthritis; PWV, pulse wave velocity. aDifference from controls is statistically significant (P <0.01). bDifference from controls is statistically significant (P = 0.001).

Similar issues arise when studies on the prevalence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis are examined. The few studies reporting lipid levels of JIA patients included children with different disease subtypes, disease activity levels and corticosteroid doses. This heterogeneity probably explains the contradictory findings of the active inflammatory lipid profile of high TGs and very-low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and lower levels of HDL-C, LDL-C and total cholesterol found in some, but not all, studies of JIA [86–93]. Overall it is difficult to determine the effect of disease and disease activity on the lipid profile in each distinct JIA subtype. Moreover, biologic therapies might adversely impact the lipid profile, as seen in systemic-onset JIA patients treated with tocilizumab [94]. Further large-scale studies should be conducted to clarify the burden and trajectory of dyslipidemia in the different JIA subtypes.

Similar to other rheumatic diseases, patients with JIA have evidence of elevated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The degree of elevation is dependent on the subtype and level of disease activity. Most, but not all, studies have shown elevated homocysteinemia levels in JIA patients [95–97]. One study showed a correlation of homocysteine with CIMT [83]. Elevated levels of omentin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, were demonstrated in patients with JIA [98]. Omentin has important effects on endothelium as it causes vasodilatation of blood vessels and attenuates many proinflammatory signaling pathways in endothelial cells, including the TNF pathway [99, 100]. The elevated circulating levels seen in JIA may therefore act as a counter-regulatory mechanism to attenuate the proatherosclerotic effects of TNF and other mediators of chronic inflammation. The importance of leptin in atherosclerosis in JIA is not clear because the two studies reported showed opposite results [101, 102].

Limitation to performing physical activities due to arthritis and its associated musculoskeletal complications, as well as corticosteroid usage, renders JIA patients susceptible to weight gain. A recent study found that patients with JIA had higher body mass index, fat percentages and truncal fat than age-matched and sex-matched controls [103]. Despite the challenges to regular physical activities in this patient population, children with JIA should be strongly encouraged to engage in an exercise program.

Data on other nontraditional risk factors in this pediatric population are lacking. As many patients will continue to have active disease into adulthood, the need to expand research on the prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors and incidence of CVD in JIA is important. This is especially true for patients with systemic and polyarticular JIA subtypes, as these patients are at highest risk for chronic inflammation and prolonged use of corticortisteroids.

Juvenile dermatomyositis

JDM is an inflammatory disease characterized by typical cutaneous rashes, symmetrical proximal muscle weakness, raised serum levels of muscle enzymes and a vasculopathy. Few studies have assessed early atherosclerosis in JDM patients. A study of adults with dermatomyositis or polymyositis demonstrated higher risks of acute MI and stroke when compared with the general population [104]. A recent study from Sweden showed that adults with polymyositis/dermatomyositis had a standardized incidence ratio of 1.92 for the development of coronary heart disease as compared with age- and sex-matched controls [105]. The only study to examine the risk of atherosclerosis in JDM compared CIMT and FMD of eight adults with a history of JDM with eight healthy adults [106]. The CIMT was higher in JDM patients despite the fact that they were younger and had lower body mass index than controls.

Acquired lipodystrophy has gained recognition in JDM patients with reported prevalence rates ranging from 8 to 40% [107–109]. This condition leads to loss of subcutaneous fat and is associated with diverse metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, abnormal leptin levels, insulin resistance and overt diabetes. The extent to which these abnormalities impact on accelerated atherosclerosis remains unknown. Future work should evaluate whether lipodystrophy is a predictor of cardiovascular events in the JDM population.

A study of children with myositis showed that 41% had elevated fasting insulin levels with 25% meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome, 47% had elevated TG and 17% had abnormal cholesterol, LDL-C or HDL-C levels [110]. The previous mentioned study of CIMT was also performed to document risk factors for atherosclerosis in JDM [106]. These same patients had higher blood pressure values, higher prevalence of abnormal HDL-C levels and lower adiponectin levels compared with controls. Two patients fulfilled criteria for the metabolic syndrome and 63% had lipodystrophy [107]. Atherogenic risk factors are thus clearly present in JDM children. Again, future studies should address the long-term incidence of CVD and better delineate predictors of cardio vascular morbidity and mortality in JDM.

Although JDM and pSLE are clearly two distinct entities, a parallel can be established between these conditions with respect to cardiovascular risk factors. Type I interferons have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both JDM and SLE [111]. Although no studies have looked at the effect of these cytokines on the development of atherosclerosis in JDM, it is reasonable to assume that they have similar effects on the endothelium to those seen in SLE. Similarly, chronic insult to the endothelium precipitated by the underlying vasculopathy and chronic inflammation probably leads to early atherosclerosis in JDM, as seen in SLE. Additionally, long-term corticosteroid therapy probably results in similar metabolic derangements such as weight gain, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Both diseases also lead to disabilities resulting in a decreased ability to practice regular aerobic activities.

Prevention strategies

Atherosclerosis is known to begin in childhood. Moreover, longitudinal studies have demonstrated that the presence of cardio vascular risk factors in childhood is associated with higher CIMT in young adults [112, 113]. Children with inflammatory diseases have an increased prevalence of traditional risk factors and the extra burden of nontraditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. Hence, thorough ongoing cardiovascular risk assessment should be performed routinely in children with chronic rheumatologic diseases. Long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality should be discussed with patients and their families soon after disclosure of the diagnosis to educate patients and facilitate the application of preventive strategies.

Traditional risk factor-related preventive measures

Overweight and obesity are common in patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases, and in particular in patients on corticosteroid therapy. The general unwellness secondary to systemic inflammation, the arthritis, the psychological impact of having a chronic disease and the development of cushingoid features all potentially contribute to sedentary lifestyle. The benefits of physical activity on many of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors are well established and regular exercise should be encouraged. Children unable to perform aerobic exercises to the desired level should be encouraged to pursue a regular exercise routine adapted to their clinical status, and intensity should be increased as tolerated. A healthy balanced diet should be promoted in all patients. Nutritional and physical activity counseling should be regarded as management priorities. Smoking status should be assessed regularly and smoking cessation support offered.

Blood pressure should be monitored at each clinic visit and home blood pressure monitoring should be implemented in those with borderline elevated or elevated values or with kidney disease. Periodic monitoring of the blood glucose level should be performed with special attention to patients on a high dosage of corticosteroids, overweight or obese, or with a family history of type II diabetes mellitus.

A baseline pretreatment lipid level should be measured and serial measurements performed. This may not apply to certain disease subtypes, such as oligoarticular JIA, where the risk of dyslipidemia is probably similar to that in the general pediatric population. However, there are currently no clear guidelines on the frequency of dyslipidemia screening and the threshold at which specific treatment should be contemplated for patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases has not been defined [114]. The APPLE trial, the only study to prospectively assess the use of a statin to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis, as measured by CIMT in pSLE, did not find a significant difference in progression of CIMT between the statin-treated and placebo-treated patient groups [26]. However, secondary analyses did show a trend in favor of atorvastatin for other CIMT endpoints. Further studies are required to determine the role of lipid-lowering therapy in pediatric rheumatology.

The use of antimalarial agents in pSLE and JDM provides a dual benefit: not only do these agents help to keep the disease inactive, but they also exert beneficial effects on lipid levels and glucose tolerance [115–118].

Nontraditional risk factor-related preventive measures

A key message that emanates from SLE studies and that probably applies to other inflammatory conditions is that adequately treating the primary disease will improve many of the cardiovascular risk factors. Control of systemic inflammation will decrease production of proatherogenic cytokines, chemokines, adipokines and autoantibodies, thereby decreasing the burden of proatherogenic insults. Judicious use of corticosteroid might tilt the balance infavor of benefits. This hypothesis might explain why the use of moderate doses of corticosteroid was negatively correlated with CIMT in the APPLE study [26].

Therapies used in the treatment of rheumatic disease have been associated with a decrease in atherosclerotic burden. Anti-TNFα therapies have been associated with decreased CIMT [119]. Although B cells have been found to have atheroprotective effects, B-cell deficiency in murine models of atherosclerosis results in a decrease in plaque size [120, 121]. Whether this effect is also true in humans and whether other anti-B-cell treatments have the same effect are not clear. As there are increasing data on the importance of type I interferons in atherosclerosis and disease activity, it will be interestingly to see whether anti-interferon therapy will affect atherosclerosis. These biologic therapeutic avenues offer the potential for additional tools in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. Whether the primary effect on atherosclerosis is secondary to decreasing inflammation or whether there are intrinsic factors related to these molecules is not clear.

Azathioprine has been linked to atherosclerosis while methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil may offer protection [122–125]. However, the effects of these three immunosuppressive agents on atherosclerosis need further study. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocking agents in patients with proteinuria and/or hypertension will not only offer benefits by their direct action on these cardiovascular risk factors but probably also via down regulation of the renin-angiotensin system, which is also implicated in the genesis of atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

Children with chronic rheumatologic diseases are exposed to a vast array of proatherogenic insults, but the prevalence and natural history of accelerated atherosclerosis in the majority of these children remains poorly defined. However, it is becoming more apparent that cardiovascular disease results in significant morbidity and mortality in these patients in adulthood. Identifying key risk factors, developing disease-specific stratification algorithms and implementing interventions to prevent atherosclerosis are therefore important. The predictive value of surrogate measures of atherosclerosis should be specifically studied in this pediatric population. Efforts should be made to identify novel biomarkers that would assist us in quantifying the atherosclerotic burden and to follow its trajectory. Prospective, multicenter cohort studies addressing these important issues are urgently needed. Pediatric rheumatology researchers have shown that assembling large national and international cohorts of patients with rheumatic diseases is feasible [15, 126, 127]. Hopefully, collaborative efforts among the pediatric and adult rheumatology communities will ultimately lead to improved long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with pediatric-onset rheumatologic diseases.

Abbreviations

APPLE: 

Atherosclerosis Prevention in Pediatric Lupus Erythematosus

CIMT: 

carotid intima-media thickness

CVD: 

cardiovascular disease

FMD: 

flow-mediated dilatation

HDL-C: 

high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol

IFN: 

interferon

IL: 

interleukin

JDM: 

juvenile dermatomyositis

JIA: 

juvenile idiopathic arthritis

LDL-C: 

low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol

MI: 

myocardial infarction

NF: 

nuclear factor

pSLE: 

pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

PWV: 

pulse wave velocity

SLE: 

systemic lupus erythematosus

TG: 

triglyceride

TNF: 

tumor necrosis factor.

Declarations

Authors’ Affiliations

(1)
Division of Rheumatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue
(2)
Division of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue
(3)
Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue
(4)
Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 555 University Avenue

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