[Rheumatoid arthritis: a cardiovascular disease?]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Immunology

Context:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with significantly increased mortality compared to the general population.
• Cardiovascular (CV) events account for a substantial portion of this excess mortality in RA patients.
• The heightened CV risk in RA is not solely explained by traditional risk factors.

Purpose:

• To highlight the increased cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• To emphasize the role of chronic inflammation and associated metabolic disturbances in RA-related CV events.
• To underscore the importance of managing modifiable CV risk factors in RA management.

Summary:

• Mortality in RA patients is doubled, with cardiovascular events explaining half of the excess deaths.
• RA increases the risk of myocardial infarction by approximately 60% and fatal cerebrovascular strokes by 50%.
• Chronic inflammation, metabolic disturbances, and RA treatments contribute to the elevated CV risk.

Impact:

• Increased awareness of CV risk in RA is essential for appropriate patient management.
• Proactive treatment of modifiable CV risk factors can mitigate excess mortality in RA.
• This understanding aids in developing targeted strategies to improve long-term outcomes for RA patients.