Evaluation of Cardiac Risk Factors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease with irreversible joint destruction. Chronic inflammation is also associated with cardiovascular disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue autoimmune disease characterized by varying clinical manifestations and severity. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the cardiac risk factors in patients with RA and SLE. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the files of ۲۷۴ patients with RA and SLE who were referred to the rheumatology private clinic and hospitals were reviewed. Demographic and biochemical data were extracted. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also measured. The statistical analysis was performed using Chi-Square and independent T-Test (SPSS software). A p-value <۰.۰۵ was considered statistically significant. Results: Ninety-two point seven percent of the subjects were female. Two hundred twenty-eight patients had RA, and ۴۶ patients had SLE. The mean waist circumference was significantly higher in RA patients compared to SLE patients (۹۲.۵ ± ۱۵.۳ vs ۸۷.۳ ± ۱۲.۸ cm, p = ۰.۰۴). No significant differences were observed in terms of the other cardiac risk factors. The rate of abdominal obesity (۸۶.۶۰%) and dyslipidemia (۸۰.۵۰%) was higher in the SLE than the RA patients. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (۷۸.۵%), hypertension (۲۸.۸۰%), diabetes (۱۳.۱۰%), history of heart disease (۹.۶۰%), and smoking (۲.۶۰%) was higher in the RA than the SLE patients. Conclusion: Among the study population, there was a high rate of obesity, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity among the RA and SLE patients. Regular monitoring and timely strategies are essential to manage these risk factors and improve patients' outcomes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Rheumatoid arthritis ، Systemic lupus erythematosus ، Cardiovascular disease ، Obesity