(Reuters Health)—People with psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease, are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes when they have a family history of cardiovascular problems, a Danish study suggests. Psoriasis wasn’t associated with higher risk of heart attacks or strokes when people with the skin condition didn’t have a family history of cardiovascular disease,…
Patients with RA Who Respond to Treatment Experience Increased Cholesterol
New research confirms that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who respond to treatment experience an increase in cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C levels. However, the use of triple therapy may be important for understanding this association and mitigating its risk…
Vitamin D May Improve Heart Health in Patients with Lupus
A new study has found that treating patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with vitamin D decreases cardiovascular risk in these patients—specifically by modifying the body’s endothelial repair mechanisms. Researchers found myeloid angiogenic cells in this patient population presented with a global impairment, including decreased migration and angiogenic capacity…
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Tied to Higher Mortality
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and all-cause mortality, according to Danish researchers. HS is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease and is most common in women. It is typically diagnosed after long delays, Dr. Alexander Egeberg of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues…
Newer Biologics for RA on Par with TNF-Inhibitors for CV Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The newer disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis appear to offer the same or even better cardiovascular (CV) protection than older tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, hints a large study. “We really haven’t had a good understanding on where the non-TNF biologics and CV risk stand,” Dr. Jeffrey R. Curtis of the University…
EULAR 2015: Cardiovascular Concerns, Infertility in RA
ROME, Italy—In what researchers say is the first study evaluating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in early rheumatoid arthritis (ERA) patients, cardiovascular abnormalities were significantly worse in patients with ERA than in matched, healthy controls. The study results were presented at EULAR 2015, the annual congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). Cardiovascular Concerns…
Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Disease More Common in Patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Study adds to research linking increased risk of morbidity, early mortality from CV events among patients with systemic autoimmune diseases
The ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting: Rheumatoid Arthritis Raises Mortality Risk in Women
Data from Nurses’ Health Study, other clinical trials point to higher risk of respiratory, cardiovascular disease death in women with RA
Knee Replacement Offers Cardiovascular Benefits for Patients with Arthritis
Knee arthroplasty may help prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with osteoarthritis; same-day bilateral surgery safe for select patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Serum Uric Acid May Be Link between Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease
New research has shown elevated levels of serum uric acid in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and an increased likelihood of cardiovascular events in patients with severe OSA.