Misperception of the Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jéssica Alonso-Molero, Diana Prieto-Peña, Guadalupe Mendoza, Belén Atienza-Mateo, Alfonso Corrales, Miguel Á. González-Gay and Javier Llorca
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Jéssica Alonso-Molero: Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria—IDIVAL, ES-39008 Santander, Spain
Diana Prieto-Peña: Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, ES-39011 Santander, Spain
Guadalupe Mendoza: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Unidad de Investigación Biomédica 02, Universidad de Colima, 28040 Guadalajara, Mexico
Belén Atienza-Mateo: Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, ES-39011 Santander, Spain
Alfonso Corrales: Epidemiology, Genetics and Atherosclerosis Research Group on Systemic Inflammatory Diseases, Rheumatology Division, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, IDIVAL, ES-39011 Santander, Spain
Miguel Á. González-Gay: Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria—IDIVAL, ES-39008 Santander, Spain
Javier Llorca: Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria—IDIVAL, ES-39008 Santander, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-9

Abstract: The risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and mortality is increased by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data on how RA patients perceive their own CV risk and their adherence to CV prevention factors are scarce. We conducted an observational study on 266 patients with RA to determine whether the perceived CV risk correlates to the objective CV risk, and if it influences their compliance with a Mediterranean diet and physical exercise. The objective CV risk was calculated according to the modified European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE). The perceived CV risk did not correlate to the objective CV risk. The correlation was even lower when carotid ultrasound was used. Notably, 64.62% of patients miscalculated their CV risk, with 43.08% underestimating it. Classic CV risk factors, carotid ultrasound markers and ESR and CRP showed significant correlation with the objective CV risk. However, only hypertension and RA disease features showed association with the perceived CV risk. Neither the objective CV risk nor the perceived CV risk were associated with the accomplishment of a Mediterranean diet or physical activity. In conclusion, RA patients tend to underestimate their actual CV risk, giving more importance to RA features than to classic CV risk factors. They are not concerned enough about the beneficial effects of physical activity or diet.

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis; cardiovascular; EULAR-SCORE; Mediterranean diet; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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