Demographics of the study population
| Total (N=400) | CVD (N=86) | No CVD or DM (N=299) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General demographics | |||
| Age, years | 63.1 (55.5–69.6) | 67.2 (62.3–72.7) | 61.5 (52.5–68.1) |
| Sex, female n (%) | 292 (73) | 52 (60.5) | 231 (77.3) |
| Smoking status | |||
| Never | 176 (44.9) | 33 (39.8) | 140 (46.8) |
| Ex-smoker | 151 (38.5) | 37 (44.6) | 103 (34.4) |
| Current | 65 (16.5) | 13 (15.7) | 51 (17.3) |
| RA characteristics | |||
| RF positive, n (%) | 296 (75.7) | 67 (78.8) | 221 (73.9) |
| Anti-CCP positive, n (%) | 259 (67.4) | 64 (77.1) | 188 (62.9) |
| Disease duration, years | 10 (4–18) | 11 (6–25.5) | 10 (4–17) |
| Disease activity | |||
| CRP, mg/litre | 8 (5–20) | 9 (5–24) | 8 (5–19) |
| ESR | 21 (9.25–37) | 22.5 (11.75–42.25) | 20 (9–36) |
| DAS 28 | 4.22±1.4 | 4.45±1.47 | 4.14±1.36 |
| Disease severity | |||
| HAQ | 1.5 (0.63–2.13) | 1.94 (1.09–2.5) | 1.38 (0.5–2.0) |
| Extra-articular disease, n (%) | 269 (67.3) | 66 (76.7) | 203 (64.6) |
| Joint replacement surgery, n (%) | 116 (29) | 25 (29.1) | 91 (29) |
| Medications | |||
| Methotrexate, n (%) | 225 (56.3) | 42 (48.8) | 177 (59.2) |
| Sulfasalazine, n (%) | 118 (29.5) | 25 (29.1) | 89 (29.8) |
| Hydroxychloroquine, n (%) | 80 (20) | 16 (18.6) | 62 (20.7) |
| Leflunomide, n (%) | 16 (4) | 3 (3.5) | 12 (4.0) |
| Anti-TNF, n (%) | 46 (11.5) | 7 (8.1) | 38 (12.7) |
| NSAIDs/cyclo-oxygenase 2, n (%) | 111 (27.8) | 18 (20.9) | 93 (29.6) |
| Prednisolone, n (%) | 131 (32.8) | 39 (45.3) | 86 (28.8) |
| Statin/fibrates, n (%) | 78 (19.5) | 49 (57) | 24 (8.0) |
| Antihypertensives, n (%) | 171 (42.8) | 61 (70.9) | 97 (32.4) |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | |||
| Total cholesterol, mmol/litre | 5.2±1.18 | 4.67±1.14 | 5.4±1.12 |
| Trigylcerides, mmol/litre | 1.0 (1.2–1.6) | 1.4 (0.98–1.7) | 1.2 (0.9–1.6) |
| HDL, mmol/litre | 1.6 (1.3–1.8) | 1.5 (1.2–1.7) | 1.6 (1.3–1.9) |
| LDL, mmol/litre | 3.05±1.2 | 2.596±1.12 | 3.2±1.19 |
| Hypertension, mm Hg | 282 (70.5) | 71 (82.6) | 197 (65.9) |
| Diabetes | 28 (7) | 13 (15.3) | 0 (0) |
Anti-CCP, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody; CRP, C reactive protein; CVD, cardiovascular disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.