Rheumatoid Arthritis Augments Cardiovascular Risk Save

A large multi-center study of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has shown, after nearly 6 years follow-up, more CV events in males than females (21% vs. 11%, respectively) and that RA itself accounts for 30% of the attributable CV risk.

Crowson, et al led researchers from 13 rheumatology centres and recorded CV risk factors, disease activity, RA characteristics and ultimately CV outcomes (myocardial infarction, angina, revascularisation, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and CVD death). They enrolled a total of 5638 RA patients with no prior CV disease (mean age: 55.3 years, 76% women).

After a mean follow-up of 5.8 years, 148 men and 241 women had a CV event (10-year cumulative incidence 20.9% and 11.1%, respectively). Men had a significantly greater number of CV risk factors (blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking) compared with women (all p<0.001).

While traditional CV risk factors (smoking, hypertension, cholesterol) accounted for the 70% attributable CV risk, RA characteristics (such as the DAS, seropositivity) accounted for the remaining 30% attributable CV risk.  RA-related risk was comparable in magnitude to that imparted by hyperlipidemia.

Data from this large, international cohort further suggests that characteristics related to RA drives a significant amount of CV risk experienced by RA patients.