Cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis: medications and risk factors in China

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Identifying risk factors and protective agents for CVD in RA patients is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
• To determine the association of traditional and biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) with CVD risk in RA.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional cohort of 2013 RA patients was analyzed.
• Data collected included medical history, social background, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and medications.
• Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent risk factors and protective agents.

Main Results:

• The incidence of CVD in the RA cohort was 12.7% (256 patients).
• RA patients with CVD were older, had longer disease duration, were more often male, and had more joint deformities.
• Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and interstitial lung disease were independent risk factors for CVD.
• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use was associated with a lower incidence of CVD, indicating a protective effect.

Conclusions:

• Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and interstitial lung disease are significant independent risk factors for CVD in Chinese RA patients.
• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) demonstrates a protective association against CVD in this RA population.
• These findings highlight the importance of managing comorbidities and considering specific DMARDs for cardiovascular risk reduction in RA.