Pericoronary fat attenuation and its association with atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis compared with controls: a cross-sectional study
Authors' conclusion
PCATa was higher in RA than controls. Mean PCATa was higher in men and associated with coronary atherosclerosis in RA but not in controls. PCATa differences around plaque-free LCx and RCA vessels between RA and controls were observed among participants with plaque elsewhere.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and age- and sex-matched controls with complete coronary CT angiography data
- Participants
- 147 vs 118
- Exposure
- RA vs age- and sex-matched controls
- RAn = 147
- Controlsn = 118reference
- Outcome
- Mean and artery-specific pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCATa)
- Follow-up
- Single time point
Methodological detailsage-matched and sex-matched controls, adjusted for age, sex, CV risk factors and epicardial adipose tissue volume
- Age-matched and sex-matched controls
- Adjusted for age, sex, CV risk factors and epicardial adipose tissue volume
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
PCATa (mean and artery-specific)
B (mean pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCATa))
0.35
95% CI 0.12–0.58
RA
B (RCA-PCATa)
0.39
95% CI 0.14–0.63
RA
B (LCx-PCATa)
0.25
95% CI 0.03–0.48
RA
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean PCATa by sex
- Mean PCATa higher in males than females
- P < 0.01
Clinical factors and PCATa, RA vs controls
- Age influenced PCATa differently in RA vs controls
- P for interaction = 0.032
- Dyslipidaemia influenced PCATa differently in RA vs controls
- P for interaction = 0.021
PCATa and plaque counts
- Mean PCATa associated with total and mixed plaque counts in RA but not in controls
- P for interaction = 0.040
- LCx-PCATa associated with total and mixed plaque counts in RA but not in controls
- P for interaction = 0.021
PCATa around plaque-free arteries
- Participants with atherosclerosis: PCATa around plaque-free left circumflex (LCx) and right coronary (RCA) vessels higher in RA than controls
- P < 0.05
- Participants without atherosclerosis: per-artery PCATa did not differ between RA and controls
Original publication
Pericoronary fat attenuation and its association with atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis compared with controls: a cross-sectional study. RMD Open. Published 24 March 2026. doi:10.
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