Male RA patients predisposed to high risk of cardiovascular issues

A recent study by Raadsen and team found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, placing them in a vulnerable position. The findings were published in the Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism journal.

The study aimed to assess the cardiovascular disease risk in newly diagnosed RA patients and determine if the advice to initiate preventive medical treatment in high-risk patients was being followed. Conducted between May 2019 and December 2022 at an outpatient rheumatology clinic, the research evaluated a cohort of 125 RA patients aged 40–70 years.

The findings shed light on the alarming state of cardiovascular risk factors in newly diagnosed RA patients. Hypertension was discovered in 57% of male patients and 43% of female patients during screening, highlighting the prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension within this population. Additionally, dyslipidemia was identified in 36% of males and 32% of females. Alarmingly, 46% of male patients and 21% of female patients were current smokers, further exacerbating their cardiovascular risk.

The study's results also highlighted the discrepancies in cardiovascular risk profiles between male and female patients. A high or very high 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk was detected in 50% of male patients, compared to just 4% of female patients. This disparity emphasizes the need for gender-specific consideration when evaluating cardiovascular risk in RA patients.

Furthermore, the study revealed a concerning gap in the initiation of preventive medication among high-risk patients. Shockingly, only 26% of patients with a high or very high cardiovascular risk profile commenced antihypertensive or statin medication following screening. This statistic underscores the urgent need for improved collaboration between healthcare providers and increased patient awareness regarding the importance of cardiovascular risk management.

The implications of these findings are significant. Early identification and effective management of cardiovascular risk factors in RA patients are crucial for mitigating the burden of cardiovascular disease in this population. Implementation of routine cardiovascular risk screening in RA patients should be standard practice, with clear delineation of responsibilities between primary care physicians and rheumatologists. 

Source:

Raadsen, R., Hansildaar, R., van Kuijk, A. W. R., & Nurmohamed, M. T. (2023). Male rheumatoid arthritis patients at substantially higher risk for cardiovascular mortality in comparison to women. In Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism (Vol. 62, p. 152233). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152233