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Risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with osteoarthritis: a prospective longitudinal study

M Mushfiqur Rahman1, Jacek A Kopec, Aslam H Anis

  • 1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

Arthritis Care & Research
|August 9, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Osteoarthritis (OA) is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially for older men and adult women. This includes increased risks for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
  • The relationship between OA and CVD risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between osteoarthritis and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
  • To determine if OA is an independent predictor of CVD events.
  • To analyze CVD risk stratification based on age and sex in OA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized population-based administrative data from British Columbia, Canada (1991-2009).
  • Analyzed a cohort of 12,745 OA cases and matched non-OA controls.
  • Employed Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models for risk estimation, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Osteoarthritis was identified as an independent predictor of CVD.
  • Adjusted relative risks (RRs) for CVD were elevated in older men (1.15), younger women (1.26), and older women (1.17).
  • Significant increases in risk for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) were observed, particularly in specific age-sex strata. OA patients undergoing total joint replacement showed a 26% increased CVD risk.

Conclusions:

  • This study suggests a significant association between osteoarthritis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Older men and adult women with OA face a heightened risk, particularly for IHD and CHF.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore underlying biological mechanisms.
Abstract

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