title: [Accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Cardiovascular manifestations are frequent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality in this disorder. Premature atherosclerosis is responsible for these complications, as supported by autopsy studies. Moreover, a high prevalence of sub-clinical atherosclerosis--evaluated by imaging and instrumental parameters--has been reported. Traditional risk factors cannot completely account for accelerated atherosclerosis in RA. The presence of RA by itself and the immunosuppressive therapy (especially corticosteroids) represent non-traditional risk factors for premature atherosclerosis. Additional factors playing a synergistic role in the atherosclerotic process are systemic chronic inflammation frequently associated with RA and both humoral and cellular specific autoimmune responses. Herein we review and discuss atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis, with special emphasis on clinical presentations, pathogenesis and therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B & Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center Tel Hashomer, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shepshelovich
authors.forename: Yaniv
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors