Rheumatoid patients 'have increased risk of death caused by heart disease'
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, according to a review of 24 studies published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research.
Scientists from the University of British Columbia, the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and the Vancouver General Hospital analysed data from 22,927 cardiovascular events in 111,758 patients.
They studied the increase in risk of cardiovascular mortality, as well the increase in the risk of ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular accidents.
Results showed that RA patients had a 50 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, while death related to ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular accident stood at 59 per cent and 52 per cent.
The researchers concluded: "Published data indicate that [cardiovascular] mortality is increased by [approximately] 50 per cent in RA patients compared with the general population. However, we found that study characteristics may influence the estimate."
A spokeswoman for the Arthritis Research Campaign said the findings added to existing knowledge about cardiovascular risk.
"All patients with RA should be screened annually for cardiovascular risk factors, and patients should reduce their risk factors by stopping smoking, reducing their weight, adopting a Mediterranean diet, taking regular aerobic exercise and moderating their alcohol intake," she added.
The charity is currently co-funding a clinical trial with the British Heart Foundation to find out if patients with RA can reduce their cardiovascular risk by taking cholesterol-busting drugs called statins.
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