Women with rheumatoid arthritis had a 2.3-fold higher risk of atrial fibrillation than men (p=0.020), whereas men had a higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (77.6% vs 25.8%, p<0.001).
Observational (n=200)
What are the gender differences in cardiovascular complications and risk factors among patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular comorbidities differ significantly by sex, with men exhibiting higher cholesterol levels and women showing a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Effect estimate: RR 2.308
p-value: p=0.020
Background and Objectives: The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is two times higher compared to the general population. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine which cardiovascular complications can appear in men vs. women with rheumatoid arthritis. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapeutic measures to reduce the progression rate of rheumatoid arthritis, while also maintaining an active lifestyle, are the most important problems in young patients. Materials and Methods: We included a number of 200 patients, divided into two groups according to gender (124 women and 76 men) with rheumatoid arthritis, presenting various stages of disease concomitant with cardiovascular complications. We assessed traditional and non-traditional risk factors, as well as electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings in both groups. Results: All patients presented an atherogenic coefficient over two, indicating a significant risk of atherogenesis. Men had elevated levels of total cholesterol compared with women (≥200 mg/dL; 77.6%—men vs. 25.8%—women, p < 0.001). The participants presented cardiac arrhythmias, especially in the active stage of RA. Women had an increased risk of atrial fibrillation by 2.308 times compared to men (p = 0.020). One of the most important complications found in young women was pulmonary arterial hypertension (p = 0.007). Conclusions: In daily clinical practice, the screening of RA is carried out in sufficiently. This disease is often undiagnosed, and the risk factors remain unassessed. As a result, RA patients continue to present an increased risk of developing CVD.
Rus et al. (Mon,) conducted a observational in Rheumatoid arthritis (n=200). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Atrial fibrillation (RR 2.308, p=0.020). Women with rheumatoid arthritis had a 2.3-fold higher risk of atrial fibrillation than men (p=0.020), whereas men had a higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (77.6% vs 25.8%, p<0.001).