Patient Perception of Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients exhibit a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared to the general population.
• Understanding patient awareness of this association and physician counseling frequency is crucial for risk management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient knowledge regarding the link between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular risk.
• To determine the frequency of physician counseling on cardiovascular risk for RA patients.

Main Methods:

• A telephone survey was conducted among 185 RA patients from the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America RA registry.
• Multivariable logistic regression models analyzed factors associated with patient knowledge and physician counseling.

Main Results:

• Only 47% of RA patients were aware that RA is a cardiovascular risk factor.
• Physician counseling on cardiovascular risk was reported by 25% of patients.
• Longer disease duration (>10 years) correlated with higher awareness and reported counseling, while older age, smoking, and hypertension were associated with lower awareness or counseling.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in patient awareness of cardiovascular risks associated with RA and in physician counseling rates.
• Multimodal strategies, including digital resources and multi-level healthcare provider involvement, are needed to address this unmet clinical need.