Assessment of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Background and Aims: Recognizing the paucity of data regarding echocardiographic studies of Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), a study was carried out to study these parameters in these subjects.
Settings, Design and Methods: Thirty-five patients with JRA and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were studied by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography.
Results: Patients with JRA had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures, resting heart rates, LV systolic (26.9±4.3 vs. 22.4 ± 4.1 mm, p=0.001) and diastolic size (42.3±4.6 vs. 35.4±3.8 mm, p<0.001) and volumes. Though ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were normal, they were lower in those with JRA as compared to controls (EF: 62.9±4.47 vs. 67.5±3.63 %, p<0.001; FS: 36.4±4.5 vs. 38.5 ± 6.87, p=0.2). On Doppler analysis the JRA group had lower peak E velocity, higher peak A velocity, higher A VTI and more prolonged IVRT. Male patients had higher A VTI and IVRT as compared to females. Those with longer duration of disease had larger LV systolic (r=0.517, p=0.01) and diastolic dimension (r=0.40, p=0.05) and lower FS (r=-0.506, p=0.01). Patients with polyarticular JRA had higher E and A VTI as compared to those with systemic or oligoarticular types.
Conclusion: Despite an asymptomatic cardiac status, significant systolic and diastolic functional abnormalities exist in patients with JRA. The duration of the disease, mode of presentation, patient's age and gender have a significant impact on the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with JRA.

Keywords
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diastolic dysfunction, systolic dysfunction