title: [Cardiovascular diseases in rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in normal population, leading to higher mortality of these patients. An accelerated atherosclerosis has been considered a basis for the increased cardiovascular risk in RA. Besides classical atherosclerosis risk factors, systemic inflammation plays a substantial role. Indirect mechanisms such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia may play a role, however, inflammation probably causes direct damage to blood vessels. Thus, systemic inflammation has a primary role and other factors accelerate this process. An adequate anti-inflammatory therapy can have a positive effect also on cardiovascular diseases in RA.
authors.affiliation: Národný ústav reumatických chorôb Piest'any, Slovenská republika. rovensky.jozef@nurch.sk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rovenský
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vlcek
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Imrich
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors