EULAR evidence-based recommendations for cardiovascular risk management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis

RA should be regarded as a condition associated with higher risk for CV disease. This may also apply to AS and PsA, although the evidence base is less. The increased risk appears to be due to both an increased prevalence of traditional risk factors and the inflammatory burden

Adequate control of disease activity is necessary to lower the CV risk

CV risk assessment using national guidelines is recommended for all patients with RA and should be considered annually for all patients with AS and PsA. Risk assessments should be repeated when antirheumatic treatment has been changed

Risk score models should be adapted for patients with RA by introducing a 1.5 multiplication factor. This multiplication factor should be used when the patient with RA meets two of the following three criteria:

• Disease duration of more than 10 years

• RF or anti-CCP positivity

• Presence of certain extra-articular manifestations

TC/HDL cholesterol ratio should be used when the SCORE model is used

Intervention should be carried out according to national guidelines

Statins, ACE inhibitors and/or AT-II blockers are preferred treatment options

The role of coxibs and most NSAIDs in CV risk is not well established and needs further investigation. Hence, we should be very cautious about prescribing them, especially for patients with a documented CV disease or in the presence of CV risk factors

Corticosteroids: use the lowest dose possible

Recommend smoking cessation