RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Arterial Stiffness in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross-sectional Study JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.170726 DO 10.3899/jrheum.170726 A1 Inger Jorid Berg A1 Anne Grete Semb A1 Silje H. Sveaas A1 Camilla Fongen A1 Désirée van der Heijde A1 Tore K. Kvien A1 Hanne Dagfinrud A1 Sella A. Provan YR 2018 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2018/06/21/jrheum.170726.abstract AB Objective To assess associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), measured as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, measured by arterial stiffness, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods VO2peak was assessed by a maximal walking test on a treadmill. Arterial stiffness was measured noninvasively (Sphygmocor apparatus). Cross-sectional associations between VO2peak and arterial stiffness were analyzed using backward multivariable linear regression. Results Among 118 participating patients, there were significant inverse associations between VO2peak and arterial stiffness, independent of traditional CVD risk factors and measures of disease activity. Conclusion Reduced CRF may be related to increased risk of CVD in AS.