Relationship Between Autoimmune Diseases and Cardiovascular Risk

While rheumatoid arthritis is commonly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, many other autoimmune diseases also display chronic systemic inflammation that may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk. However, establishing the association between autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular risk has been challenging due to small sample sizes and limited follow-up.

The authors of this study used a large longitudinal database to assess the association between 19 autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular outcomes. They found that patients with autoimmune disorders have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, particularly in younger patients, and this excess risk is not explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors.