Association of anti-Ro seropositivity with cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances

Aviram Akuka, Niv Ben-Shabat, Abdulla Watad, Avishai M. Tsur, Scott Ehrenberg, Dennis McGonagle, Doron Comaneshter, Roy Beinart, Arnon D. Cohen, Howard Amital

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    1 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Aims Anti-Ro/La autoantibodies are especially prevalent in autoimmune diseases but are also relatively frequent in healthy adults. Their arrhythmogenic effect on the immature cardiac conductive system is well established, with substantial evidence demonstrating an increased risk for congenital atrioventricular block in neonates of seropositive mothers. Despite their wide distribution and their arrhythmogenic potential effect, there are no large population studies conducted in seropositive adults. Thus, this is the first large population-based study to examine the association of anti-Ro/La seropositivity with cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances. Methods This cross-sectional designed study involved the electronic health records of the largest health maintenance organization in and results Israel. All subjects that were tested positive for anti-Ro/anti-La antibodies between the years 2002 and 2019 were included and were matched by age, gender, and place of residence, with controls. Rates of different cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances were compared between groups. Sensitivity analyses were performed using propensity score matching. The study population included 17 231 anti-Ro/La seropositive subjects and 84 368 controls. Anti-Ro seropositive patients had higher rates of conduction disturbances (3.0 vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001) and rhythm disturbances (10.5 vs. 7.0%, P < 0.001). Patients who tested positive for anti-La alone did not demonstrate a significant association with arrhythmias. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for possible confounders, showed an increased risk for cardiac conduction disturbances [odds ratio (OR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–1.66, P < 0.001], as well as for cardiac rhythm disturbances (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11–1.31, P < 0.001) among anti-Ro seropositive patients. However, the association with rhythm disturbances was more robust in certain subgroup analyses. Conclusions Anti-Ro seropositivity is positively associated with adult cardiac conduction disturbances and, to a lesser extent, cardiac rhythm disturbances, regardless of the presence of concurrent autoimmune disease.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4912-4919
    Number of pages8
    JournalEuropean Heart Journal
    Volume43
    Issue number47
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 14 Dec 2022

    Keywords

    • Anti-La
    • Anti-Ro
    • Atrioventricular block
    • Cardiac arrhythmia
    • Conduction disturbances

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Association of anti-Ro seropositivity with cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this