Characteristics of 651 incident patients with RA (1988–2007, Olmsted County, Minnesota)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Age at RA incidence (years (mean±SD)) | 55.8±15.7 |
| Length of follow-up (years (mean±SD)) | 7.8±5.2 |
| Female (n (%)) | 446 (69) |
| RF positive, ever (n (%)) | 433 (67) |
| % Tested for RF, ever | 99 |
| Abnormal ESR, ever (n (%)) (>29 mm/h for women and >22 mm/h for men) | 405 (62) |
| Abnormal CRP, ever (n (%)) (>8 mg/l) | 316 (67) |
| Family history of IHD | 150 (23) |
| Smoking at RA incidence (n (%)) | |
| Current | 120 (18) |
| Former | 229 (35) |
| Hypertension, ever (n (%)) | 562 (86) |
| Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), ever (n (%)) | 323 (50) |
| Diabetes mellitus, ever (n (%)) | 116 (18) |
| Abnormal lipid measures, ever (n (%)) | |
| According to the ATPIII guidelines | |
| TCh (≥6.2 mmol/l) | 234 (41) |
| LDL (≥4.1 mmol/l) | 195 (35) |
| HDL (<1 mmol/l) | 213 (38) |
| TG (≥2.3 mmol/l) | 208 (37) |
| According to the ESC guidelines | |
| TCh (≥5 mmol/l) | 436 (77) |
| LDL (≥3 mmol/l) | 425 (76) |
| HDL (<1 mmol/l) | 213 (38) |
| TG (≥1.7 mmol/l) | 313 (57) |
| Lipid-lowering drug use, ever (n (%)) | 209 (32) |
| Antirheumatic drug use, ever (n (%)) | |
| Methotrexate | 404 (62) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 400 (61) |
| Other DMARDs | 173 (27) |
| Biological response modifiers | 125 (19) |
| Corticosteroids | 519 (80) |
Abnormal lipid percentages were based on 567 patients with lipid measures. ATPIII, Adult Treatment Panel III; BMI, body mass index; CRP, C-reactive protein; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ESC, European Society of Cardiology; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HDL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; IHD, ischaemic heart disease; LDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RF, rheumatoid factor; TCh, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides.