Male rheumatoid arthritis patients at substantially higher risk for cardiovascular mortality in comparison to women
Authors' conclusion
An increased cardiovascular disease risk is often present in newly diagnosed RA patients, especially male patients, with a large proportion having undiagnosed and untreated hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with a recent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), aged 40–70 years, screened May 2019–December 2022 within the first year after diagnosis at an outpatient rheumatology clinic78% female
- Participants
- 125 patients
- Exposure
- Male vs female patients with newly diagnosed RA
- Outcome
- Calculated 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk (low <1%, intermediate 1-5%, high 5-10%, very high >10%) and start of preventive medication after screening
Methodological detailssingle-centre outpatient rheumatology clinic, structured screening within first year after diagnosis, Patients and their general practitioner (GP) received the cardiovascular risk profile; national pharmacy network consulted for start of preventive medication
- Single-centre outpatient rheumatology clinic
- Structured screening within first year after diagnosis
- Patients and their GP received the cardiovascular risk profile; national pharmacy network consulted for start of preventive medication
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
High or very high 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk
- (Very) high risk patients who started antihypertensive or statin medication after screening
- 26%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Hypertension found during screening
Dyslipidemia found during screening
Current smoking
Previously screened and using antihypertensive medication
- Patients screened before, using antihypertensives
- 6 (5%)
Original publication
Male rheumatoid arthritis patients at substantially higher risk for cardiovascular mortality in comparison to women. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 19 June 2023. doi:10.
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