Links between osteoarthritis, hypertension and vascular disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is there a link between osteoarthritis, hypertension and vascular disease?
IRAS ID
163523
Contact name
ISOBEL FORD
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian/University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In large population studies, people who have arthritis seem more likely to have artery disease than those without. A study of arthritis patients in Grampian showed that almost half of them had high blood pressure (hypertension), which is a known risk factor for diseases of the artery such as heart attacks and strokes. In an earlier study in Aberdeen we found signs of increased blood clotting in patients who were due to have a hip replacement operation. To try to find out whether this was because of the osteoarthritis or because they also had artery disease, we will recruit a group of patients with arthritis. We will ask for a small blood sample and in the laboratory we will measure products called D-dimer and TAT: these markers can indicate recent evidence of blood clot formation. We will compare the levels of these markers in the people who have high blood pressure with those whose blood pressure is normal and with another group of people who have stable arterial disease. If these changes are due to arthritis, they should be present in those without as well as with high blood pressure. The study will provide new information to help us to understand whether people with osteoarthritis should be given more care to prevent and treat arterial disease.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1171
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion