Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Promoters and Opponents

Overview

Journal Clin Rev Allergy Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2018 Sep 28

PMID 30259381

Citations 26

Authors

Federico Carbone

Aldo Bonaventura

Luca Liberale

Sabrina Paolino

Francesco Torre

Franco Dallegri

Fabrizio Montecucco

Maurizio Cutolo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Substantial epidemiological data identified cardiovascular (CV) diseases as a main cause of mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In light of this, RA patients may benefit from additional CV risk screening and more intensive prevention strategies. Nevertheless, current algorithms for CV risk stratification still remain tailored on general population and are burdened by a significant underestimation of CV risk in RA patients. Acute CV events in patients with RA are largely related to an accelerated atherosclerosis. As pathophysiological features of atherosclerosis overlap those occurring in the inflamed RA synovium, the understanding of those common pathways represents an urgent need and a leading challenge for CV prevention in patients with RA. Genetic background, metabolic status, gut microbiome, and systemic inflammation have been also suggested as additional key pro-atherosclerotic factors. The aim of this narrative review is to update the current knowledge about pathophysiology of atherogenesis in RA patients and potential anti-atherosclerotic effects of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

Citing Articles

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