Van Tıp Dergisi (Jul 2021)

The Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Knowledge Level, Framingham Risk Scores and Related Factors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Köksal Sarıhan,
  • Meltem Alkan Melikoglu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5505/vtd.2021.58897
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 3
pp. 366 – 373

Abstract

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INTRODUCTION: In this study, it was aimed to obtain data that can help patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to reduce their cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. Therefore; in the study, it was aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels of the CVD risk factors, CVD risk levels of RA patients and the clinical data that may be associated with them. METHODS: 101 patients with RA were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and clinical data of the patients were collected. Pain was evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), CVD risk scores with the Framingham Risk Scoring (FRS) system, knowledge levels of CVD risk factors with the "Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level" (CARRF-KL) scale, and RA long-term disease exposure with the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). RESULTS: The median value of the CARRIF-KL scale score of the participants was 19.0 (Minimum-Maximum: 2-26). There was no relationship between CARRIF-KL scores and researched data. It has been determined that FRS results of the participants are not related to their answers about whether RA creates a risk for CVD, body mass indexes, duration of illness, total cholesterol results and educational status. A relationship was found between the FRS results of the participants and their gender, age, smoking status and hypertension diagnosis status. A positive correlation was found between HAQ scores and pain levels and FRS. A negative correlation was found between HDL cholesterol levels and FRS. A positive correlation was found between systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements and FRS. Finally; It has been determined that KARRIF-BD results and FRS are not related. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was determined that the knowledge levels of the CVD risk factors of RA patients were not sufficient and that the CVD risk levels did not affect the knowledge levels of CVD risk factors. These data show the necessity of applying a CVD information program to RA patients.

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