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Posted on Jun 12, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are two times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those without it, experts have claimed.
Patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are two times as likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those without it, experts have claimed.
Research has shown 8.6 per cent of those who have this form of arthritis also suffered from CVD, compared to just 4.3 per cent of the general population.
Another study undertaken by the same scientists indicated similarities between patients with type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis regarding the risk of suffering from CVD.
It found that the odds of suffering CVD were 2.3 for those with type 2 diabetes and 2.0 for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Revealing the findings at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France, one of the investigators Dr Mike Peters, said: "These two studies suggest that rheumatoid arthritis should be considered an important cardiovascular disease risk factor."
He went on to recommend that doctors treating those with the disease should encourage their patients to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle and be alert to the early signs and symptoms of CVD.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes the immune system to attack the joints, which results in inflammation.
