title: [Rheumatoid arthritis: a cardiovascular disease?].
abstract: Mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is doubled when compared to the general population. This excess in mortality can be explained in half of cases by cardiovascular (CV) events. The risk of myocardial infarction is increased by about 60% in RA. Mortality secondary to cerebrovascular stroke is increased by 50% even if the incidence of stroke is not increased. Indeed, the risk of fatal CV events is increased in RA when compared to the general population. The increased CV risk cannot be explained only by traditional CV risk factors, even if smoking and changes in lipid profile may be implied. It is mainly related to the chronic inflammatory condition that causes many metabolic disturbances. Other parameters such as treatments used in RA also play a role. Thus, it is essential for proper management of RA patients to be aware of this risk and to treat any modifiable CV risk factors.
authors: Service d'immuno-rhumatologie, CHU Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France.
authors: C I
authors: CI
authors: Daïen
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Fesler
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008727:Methotrexate