EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update

Agca, R. et al. (2017) EULAR recommendations for cardiovascular disease risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory joint disorders: 2015/2016 update. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 76, pp. 17-28. (doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209775) (PMID:27697765)

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Abstract

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint disorders (IJD) have increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk compared with the general population. In 2009, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) taskforce recommended screening, identification of CVD risk factors and CVD risk management largely based on expert opinion. In view of substantial new evidence, an update was conducted with the aim of producing CVD risk management recommendations for patients with IJD that now incorporates an increasing evidence base. A multidisciplinary steering committee (representing 13 European countries) comprised 26 members including patient representatives, rheumatologists, cardiologists, internists, epidemiologists, a health professional and fellows. Systematic literature searches were performed and evidence was categorised according to standard guidelines. The evidence was discussed and summarised by the experts in the course of a consensus finding and voting process. Three overarching principles were defined. First, there is a higher risk for CVD in patients with RA, and this may also apply to ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Second, the rheumatologist is responsible for CVD risk management in patients with IJD. Third, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids should be in accordance with treatment-specific recommendations from EULAR and Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society. Ten recommendations were defined, of which one is new and six were changed compared with the 2009 recommendations. Each designated an appropriate evidence support level. The present update extends on the evidence that CVD risk in the whole spectrum of IJD is increased. This underscores the need for CVD risk management in these patients. These recommendations are defined to provide assistance in CVD risk management in IJD, based on expert opinion and scientific evidence.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Funding: European League Against Rheumatism.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McInnes, Professor Iain and Sattar, Professor Naveed
Authors: Agca, R., Heslinga, S.C., Rollefstad, S., Heslinga, M., McInnes, I.B., Peters, M.J.L., Kvien, T.K., Dougados, M., Radner, H., Atzeni, F., Primdahl, J., Södergren, A., Wallberg Jonsson, S., van Rompay, J., Zabalan, C., Pedersen, T.R., Jacobsson, L., de Vlam, K., Gonzalez-Gay, M.A., Semb, A.G., Kitas, G.D., Smulders, Y.M., Szekanecz, Z., Sattar, N., Symmons, D.P.M., and Nurmohamed, M.T.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Publisher:BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:0003-4967
ISSN (Online):1468-2060
Published Online:03 October 2016

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