Association between serological, hematological and biochemical status and cardiac involvement in rheumatic connective tissue diseases
Abstract
Introduction
Rheumatic connective tissue diseases (RCTDs) are chronic systemic autoimmune disorders frequently complicated by cardiovascular involvement, which represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Subclinical cardiac manifestations may remain unrecognized and may be associated with systemic inflammation and laboratory abnormalities.
Objective
To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac manifestations in patients with RCTDs and to assess their association with serological status and selected hematological and biochemical parameters.
Methods
This observational study included 110 adult patients hospitalized and treated for rheumatic connective tissue diseases over a one-year period. Patients were classified into seropositive and seronegative groups based on autoantibody profiles. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography. Hematological, inflammatory, biochemical, electrolyte, enzyme, and serum protein parameters were analyzed.
Results
Cardiac involvement was more frequently observed in seropositive patients and increased significantly with age. Ventricular hypertrophy and atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction disturbances were the most common abnormalities in this group. Seropositive patients showed significantly lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, calcium, and albumin levels, as well as higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, triglycerides, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum urea levels. In the seropositive group, demonstrated significant negative correlations with hematocrit, hemoglobin, albumin, and calcium.
Conclusion
Seropositive rheumatic connective tissue diseases are associated with a higher prevalence of subclinical cardiac involvement and distinct laboratory abnormalities reflecting chronic inflammation and myocardial remodeling. Integrated cardiovascular assessment combined with laboratory evaluation may facilitate early detection of cardiac involvement in this patient population.
© 2026 Enisa Hodžić, Alma Islamović, Nina Čamdžić, Jasna Salkić, Amina Zorlak-Čavčić, Dino Spasovski, Mevludin Mekić, published by University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.