Treatment of hypertension in patients with rheumatic diseases

Introduction Among “rheumatic” diseases rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common immune-inflammatory disorder characterized by symmetric polyarthritis affecting predominantly the small joints of the hands and feet. In patients with seropositive RA, the disease course is more aggressive, extra-articular manifestations are more frequent and their mortality is increased. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of disability in adults. It is caused by chronic damage of the cartilage in joints large ones are most frequently involved. Beyond them, gout deserves special attention since it has multiple interactions with hypertension or its treatment.