Atherosclerosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Both Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and atherosclerosis are complex polygenic diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with RA are associated with up to 60% increased risk of cardiovascular disease related death. Nonetheless, the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with RA cannot be entirely explained by traditional risk factors, and likely to be multifactorial. The present article reviews the data supporting the association of RA with cardiovascular risk factors, possible mechanism for developing atherosclerosis and evaluates the potential strategies that may prevent premature atherosclerosis in these patients.