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Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients from Mato Grosso do Sul
Ramão Souza de Deus Junior1, Andressa Leite Ferraz2, Silvia Aparecida Oesterreich3
1Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brasil.
Insights
This study found higher total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with moderate to severe dysfunction and those using corticosteroids. Early screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors is crucial in RA management.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Identifying specific risk factors within the RA population is essential for targeted prevention strategies.
- Patient functional status and treatment modalities may influence CVD risk in RA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- To explore the relationship between disease severity, functional status (using Health Assessment Questionnaire - HAQ), and CVD risk markers.
- To assess the impact of corticosteroid (CS) use on cardiovascular risk factors in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 71 patients with established Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Data collected included disease activity (DAS-28), functional status (HAQ), quality of life (SF-36), and various biomarkers (ESR, glucose, lipids, hormones, autoantibodies).
- Patients were stratified based on HAQ scores (≤1 mild dysfunction, >1 moderate/severe dysfunction) and corticosteroid treatment status.
Main Results:
- Elevated total cholesterol (TC) (>240 mg/dL) was significantly more prevalent in patients with moderate/severe dysfunction (HAQ >1) compared to those with mild dysfunction (HAQ ≤1) (53.8% vs 24.4%, p=0.020).
- Patients treated with corticosteroids (CS) showed significantly higher triglyceride levels (>200 mg/dL) compared to those not on CS (42.4% vs 18.42%, p=0.025).
- Common comorbidities included hypertension (50.7%), dyslipidemia (46.5%), hypothyroidism (22.5%), and diabetes mellitus (12.68%).
Conclusions:
- Increased total cholesterol is associated with greater functional impairment (HAQ >1) in RA patients.
- Elevated triglyceride levels correlate with the use of corticosteroid therapy in this RA cohort.
- These findings underscore the necessity of systematic screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors in all Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.
Objective:
To identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Material And Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study with 71 patients with established RA. The instruments used were: DAS-28, HAQ and SF-36, and the following parameters were determined: the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, capillary blood glucose; total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions, thyroid hormones, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPAs). Patients were classified into groups HAQ ≤ 1 (mild dysfunction) and HAQ > 1 (moderate and severe dysfunction) and, according to the HAQ scores, in groups treated with corticosteroids (CS) and without CS.
Results:
9 patients were male and 62 female with mean age and duration of disease of 53.45 (± 10.7) and 9.9 (± 8.6), respectively. RF was positive in 52 (76%), ACPAs in 54 (76.1%) and ANA in 12 (16.9%). Thirty-six patients (50.7%) had systemic hypertension, 9 (12.68%) diabetes mellitus, 16 (22.5%) hypothyroidism, 33 (46.5%) dyslipidemia and 8 (11.27%) were smokers. The results of TC >240 were found in 53.8% for group HAQ >1 (26) and in 24.4% for group HAQ ≤ 1 (45) (p=0.020). These groups did not differ as to presence of comorbidities or drug treatment. Triglyceride levels >200 for the group with CS (42.4%) versus without CS (18.42%) were significant (p=0.025).
Conclusion:
An association of increased TC and triglycerides with results of HAQ ≤ 1 and with CS use was noted, reinforcing the importance of screening risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in RA.