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Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis

Inmaculada del Rincón1, Agustín Escalante

  • 1Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. Delrincon@UTHSCSA.EDU

Current Rheumatology Reports
|October 9, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Research highlights the need for careful monitoring and management of cardiac health in these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Growing interest in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
  • Studies show increased CVD incidence and prevalence in RA compared to the general population.
  • RA patients exhibit higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
  • To explore the role of antirheumatic therapies in CVD risk.
  • To summarize evidence on atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies published in the last 3 years.
  • Analysis of research on cardiovascular risk factors in RA.
  • Inclusion of studies using noninvasive methods to detect atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • RA patients demonstrate an increased incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular conditions.
  • Various antirheumatic therapies (NSAIDs, methotrexate, corticosteroids, TNF inhibitors) are under investigation for their role in CVD.
  • Noninvasive studies indicate a predisposition to atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Conclusions:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.
  • Physicians must be vigilant in recognizing cardiovascular issues in RA patients due to diagnostic challenges.
  • Further research is needed to understand and mitigate CVD risk in RA.

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