Introduction

In addition to RA-related disability, patients with RA are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The relative contributions of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the inflammatory state, and autoimmunity are unknown.

Study Design

This was a questionnaire-based study involving the GAZEL cohort (n=20,625), which was launched in 1989. Forty-two patients had a confirmed diagnosis of RA in 2010. An autoimmune panel (rheumatoid factor [RF] and anti-citrullinated protein antibody [ACPA]) was collected from 1618 participants, 13 of whom had RA.

Results and Conclusion

Among the GAZEL cohort with RA, the hazard ratio for a cardiovascular event was 3.03. No association was demonstrated between RA-related autoimmunity and cardiovascular events among the participants. It was concluded that Fc-mediated cytokine release, as related to inflammation, determines cardiovascular risk among RA patients.