Cardiovascular profile in osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of cardiovascular events and risk factors

Higher cardiovascular risk found in rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis is largely due to systemic inflammation. In osteoarthritis (OA), occurrence of systemic inflammation has already been sometimes reported, but the possible association between OA and increased cardiovascular risk remains unclear. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to assess the incidences of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, and the cardiovascular risk factors in OA patients.

We searched PubMed, EMBase, and the Cochrane Library to find references of interest up to June 2018. MI and stroke incidence were calculated using meta-proportion analysis. Differences in cardiovascular risk factors between OA patients and controls were expressed as standardized mean differences using the inverse of variance method.

The reviewed studies reported 227 MIs in 3550 OA patients (incidence, 7.5%; 95% CI: 3.0-13.8%) and 616 MIs among 12,444 control subjects (incidence, 6.0%; 95% CI: 2.8-10.3%). Meta-analysis of the three longitudinal studies revealed a significantly increased MI risk among OA patients (RR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.02-1.45). We also found a significantly increased stroke risk in OA patients (RR=1.43; 95% CI: 1.38-1.48). Concerning cardiovascular risk factors, OA patients exhibited a pro-atherogenic lipid and glycemic profile including high levels of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and a high body mass index. Concerning atherosclerosis markers, OA patients exhibited a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, and increased pulse wave velocity.

Our meta-analysis results revealed higher cardiovascular risk in OA patients. This highlights the importance of cardiovascular risk factor management in OA.