Table 3.
Cardiovascular Risk Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
| CVR in RA patients is higher than in the general population. |
| It is recommended to evaluate CVR in RA patients each year. |
| Patients in whom the CVR obtained from SCORE should be weighted |
| o Duration of the disease over 10 years |
| o Positive antibodies (RF, ACPA) |
| o Extra-articular manifestations |
| Diagnostic methods when screening for subclinical atherosclerosis |
| o Carotid ultrasound |
| o Ankle-brachial index |
| Cardiovascular risk management |
| o Physical exercise |
| o Optimal management of hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, smoking cessation, and obesity control |
Note: Data from Martín-Martínez MA, González-Juanatey C, Castañeda S, et al. Recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: scientific evidence and expert opinion. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2014;44(1):1–8. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2014.01.002.52
Abbreviations: CVR, cardiovascular risk; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; FR, rheumatoid factor; ACPA, anti-citrullinated protein antibody; SCORE, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation.