A new study shows that patients prescribed drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis may be at a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study, conducted by an international team of researchers led by Spain’s Antonio Naranjo, examined 4,363 patients from 48 sites in 15 countries.  Those examined were previous respondents to the QUEST-RA (Quantitative Patient Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis is known as a risk factor for hardening of the arteries and leading to early strokes and heart attacks.  In fact, those with rheumatoid arthritis suffer from heart attacks and strokes ten years earlier than their peers without the condition.  Those with rheumatoid arthritis are often prescribed anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, and it is this class of drugs that researchers believe may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

In the research they conducted, Narajno and his colleagues discovered that taking methotrexate for one year was associated with an 18 percent reduction in risk of heart attack and an 11 percent decrease in risk of stroke.  These finding were adjusted for age, sex, disease activity, and other traditional risk factors.

An accompanying editorial, written by Dr. Ronald van Vollenhoven of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden states that the “possibility that anti-rheumatic therapy decreases the risk for cardiovascular complications is tantalizing.”  He adds that: “The current study, while not exactly proving this point, adds a further measure of support to the concept, and suggests that it must now be formally addressed.

For further information: “Arthritis medications reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes,” A. Naranjo, BioMed Central/Arthritis Research & Therapy, March 7, 2008.

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For more information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle with arthritis, see Arthritis Exercise More Effective with Education Program.