Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasound radiofrequency data technology in patients with Behçet's disease.
AIM
We aimed to evaluate subclinical atherosclerosis based on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial stiffness measurements in patients with Behçet's disease (BD), using ultrasound (US) radiofrequency (RF) data technology.


METHODS
We included 33 BD patients and 33 healthy controls in this study. The participants did not have any primary cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity. All participants were evaluated using Doppler ultrasonography. Arterial stiffness and CIMT measurements were performed in bilateral common carotid arteries using the US RF data technology.


RESULTS
The right, left and mean CIMT values were similar between the patient and control groups (P > 0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference in the right side α and β stiffness indices despite higher values in the patient group (P > 0.05). The right, left and mean distensibility coefficient (DC) and compliance coefficient (CC) values of the patient group were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The left and mean α- and β-stiffness indices, and the right, left and mean pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were significantly higher in the patient group (P < 0.05). We found higher mean CIMT and PWV values, and α- and β-stiffness indices in patients with mucocutaneous involvement compared with those with major organ involvement, while the mean DC and CC values were lower in the former. However, these results did not reach a statistically significant level.


CONCLUSION
This study demonstrated evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis in BD in the absence of major atherosclerotic risk factors.
['Ozisler|Cem|C|https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7475-3927', 'Kaplanoglu|Hatice|H|']
D000328:Adult D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases D001528:Behcet Syndrome D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases D017536:Carotid Artery, Common D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness D016022:Case-Control Studies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012307:Risk Factors D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex D059289:Vascular Stiffness D055815:Young Adult
subclinical atherosclerosis ultrasound radiofrequency data technology Behçet's disease carotid intima-media thickness arterial stiffness