Neuropathologic evaluation of cerebrovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors' conclusion
In this small series of autopsies, patients with and without RA had largely similar cerebrovascular pathology when controlling for neurodegenerative proteinopathies, although patients with RA exhibited more pronounced cerebrovascular disease in the basal ganglia.
Study context
- Population
- Autopsied patients with and without RA, with and without a neuropathologic diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, 1994–2021matched autopsy series
- Participants
- 32 vs 32
- Comparison
- RA vs non-RA controls
- RAn = 32
- Controlsn = 32reference
- Outcome
- Cerebrovascular disease severity (modified Kalaria and Strozyk scales)
Methodological detailsmatched on age, sex and level of neurodegenerative proteinopathy, autopsy series 1994–2021
- Matched on age, sex and level of neurodegenerative proteinopathy
- Autopsy series 1994–2021
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cerebrovascular pathology
- Prevalence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, microinfarcts, infarcts or strokes similar between groups
- No significant differences in large infarcts, lacunar infarcts or leukoencephalopathy by Strozyk scale
- RA vs Controls: P = 0.04
Further findings
Dementia diagnosed prior to death
Alzheimer's disease among those with dementia
RA without clinical dementia diagnosis
- Majority had mild-moderate cerebrovascular abnormalities; a subset had Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic changes
Original publication
Neuropathologic evaluation of cerebrovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 23 October 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →