Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis managed Atshenzhen Hospital China

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory multi-systems disorder with greater risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) complications than the general population. Determination of these risk factors could enable early detection to improve patient’s outcome and quality of life.

Objective: To investigate cardiovascular disease development risk factors in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

Design: A cross sectional study

Setting: Shenzhen Hospital, China

Subjects: Records of patients diagnosed with RA between 2004 and 2016 retrieved through contacting 164 general practitioners in China.

Results: The study enrolled 6591 RA patients and 6591 controls matched to age and gender. Of these 67.5 % were female. The average age was 58.7 (SD 15.5) years. The CVD risk factors varied in prevalence in both arms of the study. At RA diagnosis the factors noted were smoking, diabetes mellitus, low-density lipoprotein, high serum cholesterol. On the other hand patients with RA, these levels were lower despite development of CVD. Prevalence of CVD in RA: stroke (3.9 percent versus 2.7 percent, p0.001) and heart failure (1.6 percent vs. 1.0 percent, p=0.001) while MI (3.1 percent vs. 2.8 percent, p=0.092) was not statistically significant. The CVD evolved over duration of five years from the time of diagnosis. After RA risk variables were adjusted for conventional and RA related risk factors.

Conclusion: This study showed an increased risk of cardiovascular events in those diagnosed with RA. Early detection of risk factors for developing CVD would enable management that improves outcome and quality of life of those diagnosed with RA.