The excess cardiovascular risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Higher resolution investigation into the excess cardiovascular risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a linked electronic health record cohort study
IRAS ID
183064
Contact name
Maya Buch
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) leads to significant joint deformity and disability, with considerable impact on the NHS. Patients with RA also have a higher risk of death compared to the general population. This is mainly due to more severe atherosclerosis that causes heart disease. Inflammation that is typical of RA is thought to be the main factor that drives this increased heart disease risk.
The outcomes of patients with RA that suffer a heart attack are known to be worse although the exact reasons why remain unclear. There are no large studies that have compared the general, non-RA population with the RA patient population to try and understand the reasons for this.
In this study, we will link a National heart database with primary care databases to identify the RA-heart attack population and compare it with the non-RA heart attack group to answer whether there are differences in the type of heart attack, the type of coronary artery (that supplies the heart) that is (or are) affected, the management and outcome. Through this, we will understand which factors affect the outcome. In addition, the sub-group of patients from this linked dataset that are also captured in the Leeds RA database will provide more in-depth information on the RA population to gain even more understanding.
This study will help inform about the patient with RA and heart disease but also the wider (non-RA) heart disease population. The health benefits will therefore be significant to the patient, society and the NHS.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0451
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion