Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Considerations on Assessment and Management
Anyfanti Panagiota Ainatzoglou Alexandra Angeloudi Elena Michailou Olga Defteraiou Kleopatra
Anyfanti
Panagiota
Ainatzoglou
Alexandra
Angeloudi
Elena
Michailou
Olga
Defteraiou
Kleopatra
Abstract
In the context of holistic therapeutic practices, the cardiovascular risk of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) needs to be addressed as a major factor of compromised disease prognosis and increased mortality. The elevated prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) by more than twofold in RA has been attributed, inter alia, to chronic inflammation exacerbating arterial stiffness, increased onset of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle, and antirheumatic drug complications. CVD risk in RA can be currently assessed by practitioners through accessible adapted calculators, but it remains problematic as their diagnostic accuracy is not superior to calculators designed for the general population. Implementation of guideline-oriented personalised interventions remains the cornerstone for cardiovascular risk management in RA. Remarkably, there is lack of a consortium that brings together different health care providers engaged in the care of patients with RA (e.g., rheumatologists, cardiologists, general practitioners, etc), to guide cardiovascular risk assessment and management. This narrative review aims at providing an overview of current CVD risk assessment and management options, highlighting their pivotal role in the comprehensive treatment of RA patients.
MIDER Authors
Affiliations
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust; Walsall Manor Hospital
Citations
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Date
2024-10-28
Type
Subject
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Citation
Anyfanti P, Ainatzoglou A, Angeloudi E, Michailou O, Defteraiou K, Bekiari E, Kitas GD, Dimitroulas T. Cardiovascular Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Considerations on Assessment and Management. Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2024 Sep 30;35(3):402-410. doi: 10.31138/mjr.310824.cri.