StemCell Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and mainly affects the hands feet and wrists.

People suffering with rheumatoid arthritis often experience periods where the symptoms are worse.

These can be difficult to predict but there is treatment available which can ease pain and prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss.

New research led by Sarah Skeoch and Professor Ian Bruce at the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology at the University of Manchester, looked at the link between chronic inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk.

GETTY

The research used advanced imaging techniques to highlight the greater risk of cardiovascular problems among people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Published in the medical journal Scientific Reports, the researchers aimed to provide evidence that chronic inflammation drives increased cardiovascular risk in patients by accelerating atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a condition characterised by the buildup of fatty substances called plaques in the arteries - while also leading to the development of higher-risk plaque types.

Researchers found plaque was more prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis, with a higher prevalence of plaque calcification also found.

They found higher levels of the biomarkers hs-CRP and IL6 can be linked to greater inflammation.

WHAT IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

GETTY

Getty

1 of 12

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly debilitating condition that affects more than 400,000 people within the UK.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue - such as the lining go the joints.

It causes joints to become sore and inflamed and damages bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.

If the condition isn't treated, these chemicals gradually cause the joint to lose its shape and alignment.

Experts said the results could reveal that a combination of IL6 and hs-CRP represent a significant driver of cardiovascular risk.

GETTY

The researchers concluded: "This study confirms increased prevalence of atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and provides data to support the hypothesis that patients have a high-risk plaque phenotype."

Dr Natalie Carter, head of research liaison and evaluation at Arthritis Research UK, said: "Rheumatoid arthritis is an incredibly debilitating condition that affects more than 400,000 people within the UK.

The condition can not only limit a person's ability to live their everyday life to the full, but it can also put them at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

"This study not only reinforces the link between rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease, but the results can also help us understand what causes atherosclerosis in both patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the general public."

Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty material called atheroma builds up in the lining of your artery walls and narrows your arteries.

Over time it can grow bigger until your arteries become so narrow that they cant let enough blood through.

Go here to see the original:
Rheumatoid arthritis could be linked to heart condition ... - Express.co.uk

This entry was posted on May 3, 2017 at 9:41 am and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |