Cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than those who do not have RA, and this risk is even greater than that of individuals with diabetes. Patients with RA exhibit inflammation driven by autoimmune processes, resulting in endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and activation, as well as the migration of white blood cells through the vasculature. Traditionally, it was believed that the connection between RA and CVD was driven by disease-related inflammation that resulted in atherosclerosis (AS). The primary factor contributing to the increased mortality associated with rheumatoid arthritis is cardiovascular illenes.

Objectives: The objective of this research was to identify the correlation of rheumatoid arthritis with cardiac disease markers and biomarkers. Methods: The research was carried out among 60 clinically established subjects of different ages in the field of rheumatoid arthritis. The RA patients' average age was 51.33 ± 8.65, and they were treated at Al-Karama and AL-Zahra Teaching Hospital. Similarly, the Center for Prosthetics in Waist Governorate from November 2024 to January 2025. Blood samples were centrifuged to separate them and then used to examine levels of crucial and immune markers identified through Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: The findings of the present investigation demonstrated a rise in the levels of cardiovascular risk factors (ESR, TNF-α, IL-6) as well as cardiac indicators (CRP, Fibrinogen).