[Rheumatoid arthritis--possible risk marker of cardiovascular disease]

An increased mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Data also implicate an accelerated atherosclerotic process in RA. Established cardiovascular risk factors are not prominent, but there is some support for an increased prevalence of hypertension and of dyslipidemia, with decreased levels of LDL- as well as HDL-cholesterol in RA. The inflammatory activity seems to be an important predictor of CVD, per se or by mechanisms like endothelial activation, metabolic processes and the hemostatic system. Dampening of the inflammatory activity seems to have a favorable impact on the progression of CVD in RA.