Is Giant Cell Arteritis Associated with Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease? A Meta-Analysis
Hritvik Jain1, Maryam Shahzad2, Nandan Patel1
1From the Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur, India.
Insights
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) significantly increases cardiovascular risks. Patients with GCA face higher chances of myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease, highlighting the need for early risk management.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the predominant vasculitis affecting individuals over 50.
- The association between GCA and adverse cardiovascular events remains debated, with conflicting evidence in existing literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis investigating the risks of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients diagnosed with GCA.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was performed across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, Web of Science) up to November 1, 2024.
- Data from 10 studies, encompassing 518,402 participants (28,707 with GCA), were analyzed using a random-effects model in RevMan 5.4.
- Pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess cardiovascular risks.
Main Results:
- GCA was significantly associated with an elevated risk of MI (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.34-2.25).
- A heightened risk of stroke was observed in GCA patients (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.33-1.54).
- GCA patients demonstrated a substantially increased risk of PAD (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.53-2.57).
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis confirms that GCA patients have a significantly higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including MI, stroke, and PAD.
- Findings underscore the importance of proactive cardiovascular risk assessment and management in individuals with GCA.
- Further prospective research is recommended to validate these elevated cardiovascular risks and inform clinical practice.
Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of vasculitis in individuals aged >50 years. While it has been hypothesized that GCA increases the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, existing literature presents conflicting findings. This meta-analysis aims to examine the risks of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with GCA. A comprehensive search of major bibliographic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify studies on cardiovascular risks in GCA patients up to November 1, 2024. The RevMan (version 5.4) software was used with a random-effects model to calculate pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), using Der-Simonian and Laird's inverse-variance random-effects method. The meta-analysis included 10 studies with 518,402 participants (28,707 GCA patients and 489,695 controls). GCA was associated with a significantly increased risk of MI (HR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.34-2.25; P < 0.0001), stroke (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.33-1.54; P < 0.00001), and PAD (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.53-2.57; P < 0.00001). This meta-analysis shows that GCA patients are at a significantly higher risk of MI, stroke, and PAD compared with controls. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings, as early cardiovascular risk management could reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...