Cardiovascular diseases in rheumatoid arthritis

Czech version

Authors: J. Rovenský ¹; Martin Vlček ^2,3; R. Imrich ^2,3
Authors‘ workplace: Národný ústav reumatických chorôb Piešťany, Slovenská republika, riaditeľ prof. MUDr. Jozef Rovenský, DrSc., FRCP ¹; Ústav experimentálnej endokrinológie SAV Bratislava, Slovenská republika, riaditeľ prof. MUDr. Iwar Klimeš, DrSc. ²; Molekulárno-medicínske centrum SAV Bratislava, Slovenská republika, riaditeľ MUDr. Richard Imrich, Ph. D. ³
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2010; 56(7): 721-723
Category: 80th Birthday - Jaroslava Blahoše, MD, DrSc.

Overview

Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in normal population, leading to higher mortality of these patients. An accelerated atherosclerosis has been considered a basis for the increased cardiovascular risk in RA. Besides classical atherosclerosis risk factors, systemic inflammation plays a substantial role. Indirect mechanisms such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia may play a role, however, inflammation probably causes direct damage to blood vessels. Thus, systemic inflammation has a primary role and other factors accelerate this process. An adequate anti‑inflammatory therapy can have a positive effect also on cardiovascular diseases in RA.

Key words:
rheumatoid arthritis – atherosclerosis – cardiovascular diseases – glucocorticoids

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