Rheumatoid arthritis patients at greater risk of atherosclerosis – latest study

People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty material inside the arteries, experts explain in Scientific Reports.

UK scientists looked at if chronic inflammation drives increased cardiovascular risk in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

They found that plaque was more prevalent in those with rheumatoid arthritis, who also had a higher prevalence of plaque calcification, despite generally similar plaque sizes. Higher levels of the biomarkers hs-CRP and IL6 were linked with greater plaque presence and inflammation.

“This study confirms increased prevalence of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and provides data to support the hypothesis that patients have a high-risk plaque phenotype,” the research team concludes.

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