Abstract Background/Aims Risk for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is 1.5 times higher compared to the general population. This is partly due to systemic inflammation, which increases risk of atherosclerosis. It’s also partly due to the increased traditional CVD risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, which cause nearly 50% of the total CVD risk. The increased risk is recognised by most guidelines, e.g., the NICE Guideline NG100 in adults with RA, which advises regular screening for CVD risk. However, periodic screening in daily clinical practice or by GPs is not universally applied or available, and people with RA often have undiagnosed and untreated risk factors. Even today, with all the advances in RA treatment and access to new medicines, people with RA still carry increased risk of developing CVD, so they need to better understand and take responsibility to improve risk factors within their control and understand what risks need regular or periodic screening, and if necessary, treatment to reduce their CVD risk. Methods In light of the above, NRAS decided to prioritise extending their SMILE e-learning programme to include 3 new modules on the management of cardiovascular risks in RA, to be launched in January 2026. The priority to launch ‘Managing CVD risk’ modules over other subjects such as ‘Managing Fatigue’, or ‘Sleep Disruption’, for example, has also been taken due to the roll out of patient initiated follow-up (PIFU) pathways, whereby patients may not be seen for up to 2 or even 3 years unless they initiate the appointment. Also, fewer annual or periodic reviews where co-morbidities such as CVD risk are measured seem to be happening since COVID and the introduction of PIFU. Results Three modules have been developed: 1) The Evidence: Why people with RA are at greater risk of heart disease; 2) Which risk factors need to be monitored or measured on a regular basis; 3) The importance of diet, nutrition and exercise in reducing risk of heart disease. They will be launched in January 2026. Conclusion We will be evaluating uptake and impact of these new modules and believe that they will provide people with RA with a unique opportunity to learn how better to identify and manage the risks of heart disease that are both directly and indirectly within their control, such as stopping smoking, losing weight where necessary, eating a balanced heart healthy diet, exercising and ensuring that risks such as raised blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are regularly monitored, as well as further understanding the importance of managing inflammation and the impact of stress and sleep disturbance. Disclosure A. Bosworth: None.
Ailsa Bosworth (Wed,) studied this question.