Statin use in rheumatoid arthritis in relation to actual cardiovascular risk: evidence for substantial undertreatment of lipid-associated cardiovascular risk?

Tracey E. Toms, Vasileios F. Panoulas, Karen M.J. Douglas, Helen Griffiths, Naveed Sattar, Jaqueline P. Smith, Deborah P.M. Symmons, Peter Nightingale, George S. Metsios, George D. Kitas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is partially attributed to traditional cardiovascular risk factors, which can be identified and managed based on risk stratification algorithms (Framingham Risk Score, National Cholesterol Education Program, Systematic Cardiovascular Risk Evaluation and Reynolds Risk Score). We aimed to (a) identify the proportion of at risk patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) requiring statin therapy identified by conventional risk calculators, and (b) assess whether patients at risk were receiving statins.

Methods Patients at high CVD risk (excluding patients with established CVD or diabetes) were identified from a cohort of 400 well characterised patients with RA, by applying risk calculators with or without a ×1.5 multiplier in specific patient subgroups. Actual statin use versus numbers eligible for statins was also calculated.

Results The percentage of patients identified as being at risk ranged significantly depending on the method, from 1.6% (for 20% threshold global CVD risk) to 15.5% (for CVD and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality) to 21.8% (for 10% global CVD risk) and 25.9% (for 5% CVD mortality), with the majority of them (58.1% to 94.8%) not receiving statins. The application of a 1.5 multiplier identified 17% to 78% more at risk patients.

Conclusions Depending on the risk stratification method, 2% to 26% of patients with RA without CVD have sufficiently high risk to require statin therapy, yet most of them remain untreated. To address this issue, we would recommend annual systematic screening using the nationally applicable risk calculator, combined with regular audit of whether treatment targets have been achieved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)683-688
Number of pages6
JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Volume69
Issue number4
Early online date23 Oct 2009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2010

Keywords

  • age distribution
  • age factors
  • aged
  • algorithms
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • dyslipidemias
  • epidemiologic methods
  • female
  • humans
  • hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • male
  • middle aged
  • patient selection

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Statin use in rheumatoid arthritis in relation to actual cardiovascular risk: evidence for substantial undertreatment of lipid-associated cardiovascular risk?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this