Disease Remission Associated with 80% Reduction in Cardiovascular Outcomes in RA Patients

Researchers at EULAR 2019 presented that remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with 80% reduction in risk of cardiovascular outcomes, according to a press release. 

Patients with the chronic inflammatory disease are known to be at higher risk for premature death compared with the general population.

“The heightened risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is in large part a consequence of uncontrolled inflammation. By demonstrating that remission of rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular complications, these results really emphasize the importance of more effective control of disease, beyond symptom management alone,” said Professor John D Isaacs, chairperson of the abstract selection Committee, EULAR, in a press release.

This study comprised of 797 RA patients over 3 years and discovered that patients in remission saw an 80% reduction of heart attack, congestive heart failure, or stroke.

“Our study supports the idea that systemic inflammatory processes and more traditional cardiovascular risk factors work together to increase the cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Piero Ruscitti, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy, in a press release. “This is important because it highlights the need for the effective coordination of care between rheumatologists, internists, cardiologists, and primary care physicians to optimize management of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.”—Edan Stanley