Juvenile Arthritis at Risk for Coronary Artery Disease Save

Arthritis Care & Research reports that juvenile arthritis (JA) patients may have a higher risk if coronary artery disease (CAD) in adulthood. 

Data was drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (2007‐2014).  The diagnoses of JA and CAD were self declared by respondents.

The comparison groups were 232 respondents with self reported JA; 1,028 randomly selected without arthritis; and 1,105 who reported RA. In

The JA group had a three –fold increased odds of CAD compared to those without arthritis (OR 3.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1‐4.8, p<0.0001) and these odds increased after controlling for confounders (OR 4.2; 4.7‐10.5, p=0.002).

Compared to rheumatoid arthritis, JA had a lower odds of CAD (OR 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5‐0.9, p=0.03), but not after controlling for confounders (OR 0.8: 0.5‐1.3, p=0.4).

Rheumatologists should consider screening their adults with juvenile arthritis for CV disease and identify modifiable risk factors.