Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rheumatology Patients* Dr. Chit SoeMBBS, MMed.Sc, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), Dr.Med.ScAssociate Professor, Department of Medicine, UM II

**Dr. Khaing Khaing SheinMBBSPostgraduate student, UM II

Worldwide Disease ProjectionRank Cause1Lower respiratory infections2Diarrheal diseases3Peripheral conditions4Unipolar major depression5Ischemic heart disease6Cerebrovascular disease7Tuberculosis8Measles9Road Traffic accidents10Congenital abnormalitiesEstimated 1990Projected 2020Rank Cause1Ischemic heart disease2Unipolar major depression3BJD (Road traffic accidents)4Cerebrovascular disease5COPD6Lower respiratory infections7Tuberculosis8War9Diarrheal diseases10HIVNeil B, Chapman N, Patel A. Eur Heart J 2002;4(suppl F):F2-F6.

BJDThe United Nations & the World Health Organization have proclaimed the year 2000-2010 as the Bone and Joint Decade (BJD).

In November 2000, IOF board member Joyce Gordon represented IOF at a NAN meeting in Oman whose theme, "Creating Success through Synergy", defines the goals of the NAN. (National Action Network)

To target 5 Areas1. Rheumatoid Arthritis2. Osteoporosis3. Low Back Pain4. OA knee5. Limb trauma

Aim of the Study To explore the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in sero-positive arthritis (SPA) and to compare these with prevalence among seronegative arthritis (SNA) and CVD patients.

MethodsCross-sectional comparative study

Patients attended to Rheumatology clinic YGH and specialist clinic at SSCDuring May 2004 to July 2004

Predetermined CVD risk factors were recorded for 3 patients groups

Number of patients in the studyTotal = 212 patients

RA, PSS

SLE

AS

OP

OA

Sex distribution of patients

Mean Age of the groupsSPA 49 yearsSNA53 yearsCVD54 years

Prevalence of risk factors

Smoking status of patients(x2 6.0, p 0.1)

Passive Smoker(x2 0.24, p 0.88)

Drinking Habit>21 unit/week(x2 0.06, p 0.97)

Sedentary Job(x2 0.07, p 0.96)

Regular Exercise 3 times/week(x2 1.05, p 0.54)

Coffee Intake >2 cups/day(x2 3.9, p 0.13)

Fish 3 times a week(x2 all, p 0.94)

Fruit Once a Day(x2 0.10, p 0.94)

ConclusionLife style factors are similar among 3 patient groupsBMI, WHR, blood pressure and sugar level were significantly different but in favour of arthritis patientsCVD risk factors should also be checked and corrected in rheumatology patients