Abstract Introduction Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) patients are at an elevated risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Currently, there are no well-validated biomarkers to assess this risk in this population. Previous research in different cohorts has linked serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its polymorphisms to accelerated atherosclerosis and a marker of poor prognosis in CVD. Thus, we assessed this protein as a potential biomarker of CVD in TAK patients. Objectives To evaluate the serum levels of OPG and its SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in TAK patients and healthy controls, and to associate these parameters with clinical data. Methods This bicentric cross-sectional study included TAK patients who were compared with healthy individuals (control group). The serum levels of OPG and the frequency of OPG SNPs [1181G > C (rs2073618), 245 A > C (rs3134069), 163T > C (rs3102735), and 209 C > T (rs3134070)] were compared between the both groups and associated with clinical data. Results In total, 101 TAK patients and 93 controls were included in the study. The serum levels of OPG (3.8 ± 1.9 vs. 4.3 ± 1.8pmol/L, respectively; P = 0.059), and its four polymorphisms were comparable between both groups. In an additional analysis of only TAK patients, serum OPG levels and its four genes were not associated with any CVD parameters, except for higher OPG levels among patients without dyslipidemia. Conclusion No significant differences were observed in serum OPG levels or in the genotype frequencies of OPG SNPs between the patient and control groups. Similarly, no correlation was found between laboratory parameters and clinical data on CVD risk in TAK patients. Takayasus Takayasu s (TAK . (CVD) Currently wellvalidated well validated population (OPG Thus single crosssectional cross sectional group. group group) 1181G G rs2073618, rs2073618 rs , (rs2073618) 24 rs3134069, rs3134069 (rs3134069) rs3102735, rs3102735 (rs3102735) 20 rs3134070 (rs3134070) total 10 9 3.8 38 3 8 (3. 19 1 1. vs 43 4 4. 18pmolL pmolL 8pmol L pmol 1.8pmol/L respectively 0.059, 0059 0.059 0 059 0.059) dyslipidemia Similarly (CVD rs207361 (rs2073618 2 rs313406 (rs3134069 rs310273 (rs3102735 rs313407 (rs3134070 3. (3 005 0.05 05 rs20736 (rs207361 rs31340 (rs313406 rs31027 (rs310273 (rs313407 ( 00 0.0 rs2073 (rs20736 rs3134 (rs31340 rs3102 (rs31027 0. rs207 (rs2073 rs313 (rs3134 rs310 (rs3102 rs20 (rs207 rs31 (rs313 (rs310 rs2 (rs20 rs3 (rs31 (rs2 (rs3 (rs

Abstract Background Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches and causes stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysms. Up to 60% of TA patients are associated with cardiac involvement which confers a poor prognosis. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis is an echocardiographic technique that can detect the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction. Hence, this study aimed to describe the prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction in patients with TA using the GLS method and to correlate this finding with disease activity using the ITAS-2010 (Indian Takayasu Activity Score). Methods Thirty patients over 18 years of age who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 criteria for TA were included. The sample was submitted for medical record review, clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, and application of ITAS-2010. The cutoff for systolic dysfunction was GLS > - 20%. Results Of the 30 patients analyzed, 25 (83.3%) were female, and the mean age was 42.6 years (± 13.2). The median time since diagnosis was 7.5 years [range, 3-16.6 years], and the type V angiographic classification was the most prevalent (56.7%). Regarding echocardiographic findings, the median ejection fraction (EF) was 66% [61-71%] and the GLS was - 19.5% [-21.3 to -15.8%]. Although half of the participants had reduced GLS, only two had reduced EF. Eleven patients (33.%) met the criteria for activity. An association was found between disease activity and reduced GLS in eight patients (P = 0.02) using the chi-square test. Conclusion GLS seems to be an instrument capable of the early detection of systolic dysfunction in TA. The association between GLS and disease activity in this study should be confirmed in a study with a larger sample size. Takayasus s (TA stenosis occlusion aneurysms 60 prognosis (GLS Hence ITAS2010 ITAS 2010 ITAS-201 Indian Score. Score . Score) 1 ACR (ACR 199 included review evaluation ITAS2010. 2010. 20 20% 3 analyzed 2 83.3% 833 83 (83.3% female 426 42 6 42. ± ( 13.2. 132 13.2 13 13.2) 75 7 5 7. range, range [range 316.6 3166 16.6 16 3-16. years, , years] 56.7%. 567 56.7% 56 (56.7%) findings EF (EF 66 6171% 6171 61 71% 71 [61-71% 195 19 19.5 21.3 213 21 [-21. 15.8%. 158 15.8% 15 8 -15.8%] 33.% 33 (33.% P 0.02 002 0 02 chisquare chi square test size ITAS201 201 ITAS-20 83.3 (83.3 4 13. 316 316. 166 16. 3-16 56.7 (56.7% 617 [61-71 19. 21. [-21 15.8 -15.8% 33. (33. 0.0 00 ITAS20 ITAS-2 83. (83. 31 3-1 56. (56.7 [61-7 [-2 15. -15.8 (33 0. ITAS2 ITAS- (83 3- (56. [61- [- -15. (3 (8 (56 [61 [ -15 (5 [6 -1