Selected clinical parameters and changes in cardiac morphology and function assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis without clinically apparent heart disease.

RA and AS in people without clinically apparent heart disease are associated with the occurrence of adverse changes in CMR. Key Points •RA and AS in people without clinically apparent heart disease are associated with the occurrence of adverse changes in CMR.. •The independent risk factors for higher LVEF are AS occurrence, human B27 leukocyte antigen occurrence, higher NGAL concentration and higher BMI.. •RA presence, methotrexate use, higher RF, higher NGAL, older age and higher BMI are independent risk factors for higher LV T2 ratio.. •RA occurrence, AS occurrence, type 2 diabetes occurrence and a higher CRP are independently associated with a higher risk of non-ischemic LV myocardium injury..