Open AccessVascular function and morphology in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
Author(s) -
Aamer Sandoo,
Jet J. C. S. Veldhuijzen van Zanten,
George S. Metsios,
Douglas Carroll,
George D. Kitas
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
rheumatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.957
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1462-0332
pISSN - 1462-0324
DOI - 10.1093/rheumatology/ker275
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , inflammation , systemic inflammation , vascular disease , c reactive protein , randomization , randomized controlled trial , pathology , cardiology
RA associates with significantly increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This may be due to complex interactions between traditional CVD risk factors, systemic rheumatoid inflammation and the vasculature. We reviewed the current literature to answer: (i) whether there is sufficient evidence that patients with RA have altered vascular function and morphology compared with normal controls; (ii) whether there is sufficient evidence to determine if such changes relate predominantly to systemic inflammation; and (iii) whether any changes of vascular function and morphology in RA can be modified with therapy.