[Rheumatoid arthritis - an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease].

Mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with general population is increased and approximately one-half of the premature death is due to increased cardiovascular mortality. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors only partly explain increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The risk of cardiovascular disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis equals that of diabetes mellitus. Rheumatoid arthritis should be regarded as a strong independent cardiovascular risk factor as diabetes mellitus. The presence of chronic inflammation implicated in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis could be the key mechanism that contributes to increased cardiovascular risk. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors reduction combined with tight disease control is recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.