Microvascular Abnormalities in Adjuvant‐Induced Arthritis: Relationship to Macrovascular Endothelial Function and Markers of Endothelial Activation

Abstract

Our findings indicate that microvascular endothelial dysfunction occurs earlier than macrovascular endothelial dysfunction and microvascular arterial stiffness during arthritis, suggesting that microvascular endothelial function would be a valuable tool for the early assessment of cardiovascular risk in RA. Neither the ICAM-1 level nor the CRP level is a good marker of micro- or macrovascular endothelial dysfunction.