Systemic inflammation as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease: review of the literature

Abstract

The review shows the problem of systemic inflammation as a key factor influencing the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Represented literature data on the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis, its impact on the accelerated development of atherosclerosis. A separate section is devoted to the problem of lipid paradox. Review shows data on the influence of the traditional basic anti-inflammatory drugs and genetically engineered biological agents on the risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Also, EULAR recommendations for assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• systemic inflammation
• lipid paradox
• the risk of cardiovascular events
• atherosclerosis