Vascular calcification in rheumatoid arthritis: prevalence, pathophysiological aspects and potential targets

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Excess cardiovascular mortality in RA patients cannot be fully explained by conventional cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent progress concerning the prevalence and pathophysiological aspects of vascular calcification in RA. RA patients have early-onset diffuse calcification involving multiple vascular beds compared to age and sex-matched controls. Pathogenesis of vascular calcification in RA patients is not fully understood, but specific mediators such as proinflammatory cytokines and not global inflammation could be involved. The possible link between osteoporosis and vascular calcification in RA will not be discussed. Finally, potential targets to reduce vascular calcification in RA will be discussed.