Dr Roxanne Cooksey – Swansea University
The Challenge
Arthritis is the leading cause of pain and disability in the UK. The disorder typically causes pain and inflammation in the joints, and can affect people of all ages, and can be an extremely debilitating condition.
There are several kinds of arthritis, including the commonly known osteoarthritis. This type is related to wear and tear of the joints due to older age, or damage from sports and other activities. But other kinds of arthritis – known as inflammatory arthritis – can affect the organs and skin, too.
The Research
The research explored the associated cardiovascular disease risks that come with types of inflammatory arthritis – particularly rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Researchers have already found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (which occurs when the body’s immune system targets affected joints, leading to swelling and pain) have higher rates of cardiovascular disease. And those with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis also have an increased risk of developing other conditions, such as skin and heart disorders.
However, it is not entirely clear whether those with psoriatic arthritis – a joint condition that affects around 30% of people with the skin condition psoriasis – are subject to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, too.
The research team looked at the health records of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. 8,650 had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, 2,128 with psoriatic arthritis, and 24,630 with psoriasis. This data was compared to 1,187,706 individuals without these conditions, looking at rates of heart attack, stroke and deaths related to these.
The Findings
When the data was analysed, the team found that cardiovascular risk factors were higher for those who had rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis, compared to people who did not have these conditions.
When the researchers looked at known cardiovascular risk factors (such as obesity and high blood pressure) there was still a higher risk of heart attack and stroke in women with rheumatoid arthritis, and in men and women with psoriasis. This increased risk of heart attack and stroke can be explained by the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis causing inflammation in the heart. However, researchers are not yet sure why this occurs only in women. In addition, the team know the level of inflammation in psoriasis is low so this does not explain the higher risk of heart attack and stroke in this group.
The Impact
The results from this study have improved our understanding of arthritis and though the team have found evidence of increased risks, more medical research will need to be done to work out what the best cause of action is for those with inflammatory arthritis.
In the meantime, people with inflammatory arthritis and psoriasis should be closely monitored and given extra support to help prevent heart attack and strokes.
For further information on the research visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049017217306212?via%3Dihub
