title: Cardiovascular risk and its modification in patients with connective tissue diseases.
abstract: It is well documented that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease. There is evidence that traditional risk factors and disease-related factors are involved in this increased risk. Less is known about CV risk and outcomes in other connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Future longitudinal observational studies may help to answer these important questions; however, because CTDs are rare, collaboration between clinicians with similar research interests is needed to ensure sufficiently large cohorts are available to address these issues. Here, we review the evidence available for CV risk in CTDs and discuss the benefits of longitudinal observational studies in identifying CV outcomes. Structured care protocols for the management of CV risk in CTDs are lacking. We propose a target-based approach to assessing and managing CV risk in CTDs.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Ian N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: Deborah.symmons@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Deborah P M
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Symmons
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular risk management; Connective tissue diseases; Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies; Primary Sjögren's syndrome; SLE; Systemic sclerosis