Tae Hyub Lee1, Gwan Gyu Song2,3, Sung Jae Choi2,4, Hongdeok Seok5, Jae Hyun Jung6,7. 1. College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseouk-ro, Donjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea. 2. Korea University College of Medicine, 73 Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, South Korea. 3. Department of Rheumatology, Korea University Guro Hospital, 148 Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul, 08308, South Korea. 4. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15355, South Korea. 5. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Busan Adventist Hospital, Sahmyook Medical Center, 170 Daeti-ro, Seo-gu, Busan, 49230, South Korea. 6. College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseouk-ro, Donjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, South Korea. mcfriend82@naver.com. 7. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, 123 Jeokgeum-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, 15355, South Korea. mcfriend82@naver.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to be associated with coronary artery diseases (CAD). Previous studies of the association between RA and CAD were reported mainly in non-Asian groups. We aimed to examine the prevalence of RA and the relationship between RA and CAD in South Korea. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study by using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collected data for four years between 2008 and 2012. A total of 25,828 eligible participants were included. To balance the distribution of baseline characteristics, we used propensity score-matching. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed and we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the odds of the participants with RA on CAD prevalence. RESULTS: The prevalence of RA in Korea from 2008 to 2012 was 0.6% and RA was predominant among elderly women. The prevalence of CAD in patients with RA was significantly higher than in general population. After propensity score-matching to balance the confounding factors, RA was significantly associated with CAD (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.15-7.68, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RA in South Korea was comparable to the worldwide data, and the presence of CAD in RA patients was more than two-fold.
BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known to be associated with coronary artery diseases (CAD). Previous studies of the association between RA and CAD were reported mainly in non-Asian groups. We aimed to examine the prevalence of RA and the relationship between RA and CAD in South Korea. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study by using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which collected data for four years between 2008 and 2012. A total of 25,828 eligible participants were included. To balance the distribution of baseline characteristics, we used propensity score-matching. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed and we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the odds of the participants with RA on CAD prevalence. RESULTS: The prevalence of RA in Korea from 2008 to 2012 was 0.6% and RA was predominant among elderly women. The prevalence of CAD in patients with RA was significantly higher than in general population. After propensity score-matching to balance the confounding factors, RA was significantly associated with CAD (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.15-7.68, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RA in South Korea was comparable to the worldwide data, and the presence of CAD in RApatients was more than two-fold.