title: Cardiovascular risk and the use of biologic agents in rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Although patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are recognized to be disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), effective approaches of primary and secondary CVD prevention have not been well defined in this population. Given their robust disease-modifying potential and effects on both pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic pathways, there has been substantial speculation that biologic treatments may serve as a means of providing highly effective RA disease control while simultaneously reducing CVD risk in this high risk group. In this review, we examine available evidence relevant to the associations of approved biologic treatments with CVD outcomes in the context of RA.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983025 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-3025, USA, dev.lim@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Debbie T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cannella
authors.forename: Kaleb D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Michaud
authors.forename: Ted R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Mikuls
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D001685:Biological Factors