Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Preliminary Study on Acupuncture Combined with Grain-sized Moxibustion for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Finger Joint Pain
Published on: May 16, 2025
Cardiovascular risk management in rheumatoid arthritis patients still suboptimal: the Implementation of
Inge A M van den Oever1, Maaike Heslinga1, Ed N Griep2
1Department of Rheumatology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Reade, Amsterdam.
Insights
Cardiovascular risk management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is challenging. Many RA patients with high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are undertreated, necessitating improved awareness and management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Effective management of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is crucial for this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the 10-year CV risk score in patients with established RA.
- To identify the prevalence of treatment and undertreatment of CV risk factors in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 720 RA patients from two hospitals.
- Assessment of demographics, CV risk factors, and CVD prevalence via questionnaire.
- Calculation of 10-year CV risk scores using the Dutch CV risk management guideline, including blood pressure and cholesterol measurements.
Main Results:
- 53% of RA patients had a high 10-year CV risk (≥20%), and 9% had existing CVD.
- 69% of patients indicated preventive treatment, but 42% received inadequate treatment and 40% received no treatment.
- Mean patient age was 59 years, with 73% being female.
Conclusions:
- Optimal CV risk management in RA patients remains a significant challenge.
- There is an urgent need for improved awareness and management of CV risk factors to reduce CVD incidence in the RA population.
Objective:
To assess the 10-year cardiovascular (CV) risk score and to identify treatment and undertreatment of CV risk factors in patients with established RA.
Methods:
Demographics, CV risk factors and prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were assessed by questionnaire. To calculate the 10-year CV risk score according to the Dutch CV risk management guideline, systolic blood pressure was measured and cholesterol levels were determined from fasting blood samples. Patients were categorized into four groups: indication for treatment but not treated; inadequately treated, so not meeting goals (systolic blood pressure ⩽140 mmHg and/or low-density lipoprotein ⩽2.5 mmol/l); adequately treated; or no treatment necessary.
Results:
A total of 720 consecutive RA patients were included, 375 from Reade and 345 from the Antonius Hospital. The mean age of patients was 59 years (s.d. 12) and 73% were female. Seventeen per cent of the patients had a low 10-year CV risk (<10%), 21% had an intermediate risk (10-19%), 53% a high risk (⩾20%) and 9% had CVD. In total, 69% had an indication for preventive treatment (cholesterol-lowering or antihypertensive drugs). Of those, 42% received inadequate treatment and 40% received no treatment at all.
Conclusion:
Optimal CV risk management remains a major challenge and better awareness and management are urgently needed to reduce the high risk of CVD in the RA population.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management