Cardiovascular Risk and the Use of Biologic Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Published in: Current rheumatology reports Vol. 16; no. 11; p. 459
• Main Authors: Lim, Debbie T., Cannella, Amy C., Michaud, Kaleb D, Mikuls, Ted R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Antirheumatic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - complications; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Biological Factors - therapeutic use; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Health Economics and Quality of Life (M Harrison; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Rheumatology; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Health Economics and Quality of Life; Myocardial infarction; Cardiovascular disease; Tumor necrosis factor; Biologic; Rheumatoid arthritis; Atherosclerosis
• ISSN: 1523-3774; 1534-6307
• DOI: 10.1007/s11926-014-0459-y

Although patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are recognized to be disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), effective approaches of primary and secondary CVD prevention have not been well defined in this population. Given their robust disease-modifying potential and effects on both pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic pathways, there has been substantial speculation that biologic treatments may serve as a means of providing highly effective RA disease control while simultaneously reducing CVD risk in this high risk group. In this review, we examine available evidence relevant to the associations of approved biologic treatments with CVD outcomes in the context of RA.