JAK Inhibition in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Haemodynamic Effects and Impact on Micro and Macrovascular Function. Study Design and Rationale

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by increased rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which represents the leading cause of death. Patients with RA presents increased prevalence of hypertension, which substantially contributes to the increased CVD burden associated with the disease. A solid pathophysiological background supports the presence of microvascular dysfunction in RA even in the absence of established CVD, while macrovascular dysfunction in the form of large artery stiffening has been further described. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors constitute a novel class of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the vascular effects of JAK inhibitors in RA patients remain largely understudied. More recent evidence suggests higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events with JAK inhibition compared to treatment with a TNF inhibitor, and calls for more careful consideration of potential negative effects on the cardiovascular system. The present prospective observational cohort study aims to investigate the impact of JAK inhibitors on ambulatory blood pressure and haemodynamic profile, as well as markers of micro and macrovasculopathy among patients with RA