RA patients experience a higher rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than controls. In a new study, Karpouzas et al. determined that current biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug use is associated with reduced long-term CVD risk, protective calcification of noncalcified lesions and a lower likelihood of new plaque formation in patients with early atherosclerosis. ... [Read More]
A recent study in The Journal of Rheumatology sheds light on the importance of preconceptional cardiovascular health in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although many questions remain, improved cardiovascular health measures seem to positively affect pregnancy outcomes, suggesting a potential role for preconception cardiovascular interventions.1 Women with lupus now have healthier pregnancies than in the… [Read More]
SNOWMASS VILLAGE, COLO.—Even in the era of treat to target, cardiovascular disease risk remains elevated and is a major source of mortality and morbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Screening and management of cardiovascular risk in these patients is critical to ensure these patients are identified and treated. At the 2019 ACR Winter Rheumatology… [Read More]
Galectin-3 may have potential as a biomarker for the early onset of cardiovascular disease in RA patients, potentially enabling early intervention and deferring the cardiovascular risks associated with RA…... [Read More]
New research explores the association of the ability to walk and the risk of cardiovascular disease in OA patients compared with the general population. During the study, researchers recorded a six-minute walking distance and measured arterial stiffness of participants. The results: Even among younger people, OA patients could not walk as far as those in the general population. Also, arterial stiffness was inversely associated with walking distance, suggesting walking is important to the cardiovascular risk profile of OA patients…... [Read More]
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with high rates of cardiovascular disease. However, research has shown that aggressive risk assessment with lipid screenings and treatment with statins may be suboptimal for these patients. A new study compared the rates of screening and treatment between SLE patients, diabetes mellitus patients and the general Medicaid population. The results: Despite having an elevated risk of CVD, SLE patients received less lipid testing and fewer statin prescriptions than other patients…... [Read More]
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), like other inflammatory diseases, has been associated with increased incidence for and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), the most common comorbidity leading to death in many conditions treated by rheumatologists. But beyond recognizing the burden of increased inflammation, the mechanisms behind this association are not well understood, says M. Elaine Husni, MD,… [Read More]
The early identification of endothelial dysfunction may be useful in clinical practice to prevent SLE patients from developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. New research evaluated the use of peripheral arterial tonometry in assessing endothelial dysfunction in patients with early SLE and no cardiovascular risk factors or disease. The results: These patients showed a high rate of endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffness…... [Read More]
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs for acute and chronic pain. More than 30 billion doses of NSAIDs are consumed annually from more than 70 million prescriptions.1 Despite their common use, NSAIDs are not free of serious toxicities. In the pre-Vioxx (rofecoxib) era, gastrointestinal toxicity was the primary concern for many NSAIDs…. [Read More]
Experts in rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular health and education have joined forces to create a video intervention designed to help patients understand their risks for heart attack and stroke, as well as how to reduce these risks. Early research into this educational intervention shows the video is effective…... [Read More]