title: Coexistence of ischemic heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis patients-A case control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the last few decades, several studies have demonstrated the connection between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD). The additional risk for RA patients to also suffer from IHD varies based on the definition of the diseases in question, the populations evaluated, and the variables included in the studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the association between RA and IHD according to certain demographics as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors in order to determine their roles in the development of coronary artery disease among patients with RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the largest HMO in Israel, the Clalit Health Services, we selected for patients with RA. These patients were compared with age and sex matched controls with regards to the prevalence of IHD in a case-control study. Chi-square and t-tests were used for univariate analysis and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 11,782 patients with RA and 57,973 age and sex matched controls. The prevalence of IHD in patients with RA was increased compared with the prevalence in controls (16.6% and 12.8% respectively, P<0.001). In a multivariate analysis, RA was associated with higher proportions of IHD (OR 1.346, 95% confidence interval 1.255-1.431).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Houri Levi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Abdulla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watad
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whitby
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiosano
authors.affiliation: Chief Physician's Office, Clalit Health Services Tel Aviv, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Comaneshter
authors.affiliation: Chief Physician's Office, Clalit Health Services Tel Aviv, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Arnon D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. Electronic address: howard.amital@sheba.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amital
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Autoimmune disease; Comorbidity; Ischemic heart disease; RA; Rheumatic diseases