Cardiovascular Disease
in Inflammatory Arthritis:
Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Patients with inflammatory arthritis are at increased risk for
cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown a clear link between inflammatory mediators and the development of cardiovascular disease, which has led to research on inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. In clinical trials using TNF inhibitors, most data suggest that blocking TNF production can decrease the incidence of some cardiovascular events. However, TNF inhibitors have been associated with increases in other cardiovascular diseases, resulting in their contraindication in these patient populations. Clinical trials with investigational interleukin-receptor antagonists have shown positive results on some systemic inflammatory markers.