To evaluate the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) prevalence, incidence, and progression over a four-year period in a multi-ethnic adult population without prior cardiovascular disease.
Approach:
Study Design: A prospective case-cohort design using data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) with assessments at baseline (2008–2010) and follow-up (2012–2014).
Participant Selection: 5,061 participants underwent noncontrast cardiac CT for CAC assessment, with exclusions for missing data and pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
RA Definition: RA was defined using a composite of self-reported diagnosis, DMARD use, and seropositivity for anti-CCP or RF.
Key Findings:
RA was not associated with CAC prevalence or incidence according to the study's results.
However, RA was associated with greater CAC progression over a four-year period.
The study utilized a Berry-based definition for CAC progression among participants with detectable CAC at baseline.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The study's findings may be influenced by potential misclassification of RA due to the operational definition used.
The cohort consisted of civil servants, which may limit generalizability to the broader population.
by Patrícia Fonseca Estrada, Marcos Rafael N. Cavalcante, Itamar de Souza Santos, Márcio S. Bittencourt, Vandrize Meneghini, Paulo A. Lotufo, Alessandra C. Goulart, Isabela M. Bensenor
Joint tenderness showed broader associations with concurrent ultrasound abnormalities than patient-reported pain among anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide–positive patients without clinical arthritis.
Analysis of East Asian genetic data found a modest inverse association between rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility and periodontitis risk, though researchers said the findings require confirmation in independent cohorts.
