Inflammatory Arthritis and Heart Disease

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), are chronic conditions.
• These conditions are characterized by joint inflammation and are associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications and premature death.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the most significant cardiovascular manifestations in patients with IJD from a clinical perspective.
• To update current knowledge on CV complications in IJD by analyzing relevant literature.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was conducted using the PubMed database.
• Studies published in English between January 2007 and February 2017 were included.

Main Results:

• Ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are the most prevalent and fatal CV complications in IJD.
• Pericarditis, myocarditis, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and arrhythmias are also observed, often linked to chronic inflammation and fibrosis.
• Advanced noninvasive tools like cardiac MRI and echocardiography have enhanced understanding of CV disease in IJD.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac manifestations are common in IJD and are a primary driver of increased morbidity and mortality.
• Awareness among clinicians is vital for early diagnosis, which can mitigate CV events and improve patient survival.