Guideline recommended treatment to targets of cardiovascular risk is inadequate in patients with inflammatory joint diseases

Int J Cardiol. 2019 Jan 1:274:311-318. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.111. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our goal was to examine indications for, and use of, lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and antihypertensive treatment (AntiHT) in patients with IJD. Furthermore, to investigate the frequency of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and blood pressure (BP) goal attainment among IJD patients.

Methods: The cohort was derived from the NOrwegian Collaboration on Atherosclerosis in patients with Rheumatic joint diseases (NOCAR). Indications for AntiHT were: systolic/diastolic BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg, self-reported hypertension or AntiHT. CVD risk was estimated by the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) algorithm. LDL-c goals were <2.6 mmol/L in case of diabetes, total cholesterol > 8 mmol/L or a SCORE estimate ≥ 5%, and <1.8 mmol/L for those with established CVD or SCORE ≥ 10%. Comparisons across IJD entities were performed using age and sex adjusted logistic regression.

Results: In total, 2277 patients (rheumatoid arthritis: 1376, axial spondyloarthritis: 474, psoriatic arthritis: 427) were included. LLT and AntiHT were indicated in 36.1% and 52.6% of the patients, of whom 37.6% and 47.0% were untreated, respectively. LDL-c and BP targets were obtained in 26.2% and 26.3%, respectively. Guideline recommended treatment and/or corresponding treatment targets were not initiated or obtained in approximately 50%. Rheumatoid arthritis patients were particularly likely to be undertreated with LLT, whereas hypertension undertreatment was most common in psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusions: Inadequate CVD prevention encompasses all the three major IJD entities. The unmet need for CVD preventive measures is not only prevalent in RA, but exists across all the major IJD entities.

Keywords: Axial spondyloarthritis; Preventive cardiology; Psoriatic arthritis; Quality assurance project; Rheumatoid arthritis; Risk factors.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis / complications*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Incidence
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Lipoproteins / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Risk Assessment*
  • Risk Factors
  • Secondary Prevention / methods*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Lipoproteins