Heart health risks associated with arthritis drugs – new review

The potential heart health risks associated with some arthritis therapies have been evaluated in a new review in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Experts looked at the association between cardiovascular events and drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Data from 34 studies was analysed and results suggest that:
• In rheumatoid arthritis, a reduced risk of cardiovascular events was reported in people treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (anti-TNFs) and methotrexate;
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increased heart health risks, especially the drug rofecoxib;
• Corticosteroids were associated with increased risk of all cardiovascular events;
• Systemic therapy approaches for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis decreased risk of cardiovascular events.
“Targeting inflammation with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors or methotrexate may have positive cardiovascular effects in rheumatoid arthritis,” the researchers conclude. “In psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, limited evidence suggests that systemic therapies are associated with a decrease in all cardiovascular event risk.”
A spokeswoman for Arthritis Research UK comments:
“These findings confirm what we know about the effects of a number of drugs on the cardiovascular health of people with arthritis. It’s well established that anti-TNF therapies reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing inflammation in the body while NSAIDS, in particular rofecoxib and steroids, can have the opposite effect.”

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