Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a high risk of cardiovascular events but are often undertreated for managing this risk. Rheumatologists should consider a patient’s cardiovascular disease status before deciding on RA treatments. Studies have shown that methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors can reduce cardiovascular events in RA patients, while JAK inhibitors may increase the risk. There are ongoing trials to evaluate the impact of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on vascular inflammation in RA. Unanswered questions remain about the best immunotherapy for reducing heart disease in autoimmune conditions. Improved recognition and treatment of comorbidities may help reduce cardiovascular risk in RA patients.
Source link
In RA Treatment, Don’t Overlook Underlying CV Risks
