The inextricable link between atherosclerosis and prototypical inflammatory diseases rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
The increased burden of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus has recently become the focus of intense investigation. Proatherogenic risk factors and dysregulated inflammation are the main culprits, leading to enhanced atherosclerosis in subgroups of patients with inflammatory diseases. Common molecular pathways shared by atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease may be involved. In this review we map the key determinants of the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with inflammatory diseases at each step of the atherogenesis.
Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK. l.full05@imperial.ac.uk
Louise E
LE
Full
Cristina
C
Ruisanchez
Claudia
C
Monaco
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology