Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction and Evaluation of Vascular Reactivity Tests in Behçet Disease

Abstract

We assessed endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with Behcet disease (BD; n=40) and healthy controls (n=20). Serum lipid, homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), and ultrasonographic flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were measured. Mean hsCRP, ESR, homocysteine, and ADMA were significantly higher in the BD group (P<.001 for all). Patients with active BD had higher serum levels of hsCRP, homocysteine, and ESR compared with those in remission (P<.001, P<.001, and P=.005, respectively). Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in patients with BD than in controls (P=.001). Flow-mediated dilatation correlated negatively with BD duration and serum ADMA levels (P<.001, r=-.745 and P<.001, r=-.682); a positive correlation was seen between serum ADMA levels and BD duration (P<.001, r=.552). Only stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed BD duration to have a significant effect on FMD. Flow-mediated dilatation, in conjunction with markers of inflammation, may evaluate ED in patients with BD.