From the Research
Yes, there can be a relationship between spondyloarthritis (SpA) and mitral regurgitation, as evidenced by a recent case report published in 2022 1. Spondyloarthropathy, particularly ankylosing spondylitis, can occasionally affect the heart valves, including the mitral valve, leading to mitral regurgitation in some patients. The connection is thought to be due to the systemic inflammatory nature of spondyloarthropathies, which can affect connective tissues throughout the body, including those in the heart. Some key points to consider:
- The relationship between SpA and mitral regurgitation is not extremely common, but it is a recognized complication, as noted in a 2009 study 2.
- Patients with spondyloarthropathy should be monitored for cardiac complications, including mitral regurgitation, with regular cardiac evaluations, including echocardiograms, especially if there are any symptoms suggestive of heart problems.
- The management of mitral regurgitation in these patients would follow standard guidelines, potentially including medications to manage heart failure symptoms if present, and surgical intervention if the regurgitation becomes severe, as supported by a 2022 study on mitral valve surgery 3.
- Treatment of the underlying spondyloarthropathy with NSAIDs, DMARDs, or biologics, such as TNF inhibitors, may also help prevent or slow the progression of cardiac complications by reducing overall inflammation.
- Other studies, such as those from 2006 4 and 1997 5, provide additional context on the relationship between spondyloarthropathy and cardiac valvular lesions, but the most recent and relevant evidence comes from the 2022 case report 1.