1) The study explored cardiovascular risk factors in patients with seropositive arthritis (SPA), seronegative arthritis (SNA), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). 2) It found that body mass index, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels were significantly higher in CVD patients compared to SPA and SNA patients. 3) However, lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and diet were similar between the three patient groups. The study concluded that cardiovascular risk factors should be checked and addressed in rheumatology patients as well.

1. Cardiovascular Risk FactorsCardiovascular Risk Factors
inin
Rheumatology PatientsRheumatology Patients
* Dr. Chit Soe* Dr. Chit Soe
MBBS, MMed.Sc, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), Dr.Med.ScMBBS, MMed.Sc, MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), Dr.Med.Sc
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, UM IIAssociate Professor, Department of Medicine, UM II
**Dr. Khaing Khaing Shein**Dr. Khaing Khaing Shein
MBBSMBBS
Postgraduate student, UM IIPostgraduate student, UM II

2. Rank Cause
1 Lower respiratory infections
2 Diarrheal diseases
3 Peripheral conditions
4 Unipolar major depression
5 Ischemic heart disease
6 Cerebrovascular disease
7 Tuberculosis
8 Measles
9 Road Traffic accidents
10 Congenital abnormalities
Worldwide Disease ProjectionWorldwide Disease Projection
Estimated 1990 Projected 2020
Rank Cause
1 Ischemic heart disease
2 Unipolar major depression
3 BJD (Road traffic accidents)
4 Cerebrovascular disease
5 COPD
6 Lower respiratory infections
7 Tuberculosis
8 War
9 Diarrheal diseases
10 HIV
Neil B, Chapman N, Patel A. Eur Heart J 2002;4(suppl F):F2-F6.

3. BJDBJD
 The United Nations & theThe United Nations & the
World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
have proclaimed the yearhave proclaimed the year
2000-20102000-2010
 as the Bone and Joint Decadeas the Bone and Joint Decade
(BJD).(BJD).

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

6. To target 5 AreasTo target 5 Areas
 1. Rheumatoid Arthritis1. Rheumatoid Arthritis
 2. Osteoporosis2. Osteoporosis
 3. Low Back Pain3. Low Back Pain
 4. OA knee4. OA knee
 5. Limb trauma5. Limb trauma

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

8. MethodsMethods
 Cross-sectional comparative studyCross-sectional comparative study
 Patients attended to RheumatologyPatients attended to Rheumatology
clinic YGH and specialist clinic at SSCclinic YGH and specialist clinic at SSC
 During May 2004 to July 2004During May 2004 to July 2004
 Predetermined CVD risk factors werePredetermined CVD risk factors were
recorded for 3 patients groupsrecorded for 3 patients groups

9. Number of patients in the studyNumber of patients in the study
Total = 212 patientsTotal = 212 patients
62
55
95 SPA
SNA
CVD

10. RA, PSSRA, PSS

11. SLESLE

12. AS

13. OP

14. OAOA

15. Sex distribution of patientsSex distribution of patients
32
63
19
36
19
43
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Female
Male

16. Mean Age of the groupsMean Age of the groups
 SPASPA 49 years49 years
 SNASNA 53 years53 years
 CVDCVD 54 years54 years

17. Prevalence of risk factorsPrevalence of risk factors
SPASPA SNASNA CVDCVD PP
BMIBMI 24.224.2 27.327.3 28.128.1 0.0060.006
Waist-hip ratioWaist-hip ratio 0.850.85 0.900.90 0.910.91 0.0030.003
Systolic bloodSystolic blood
pressurepressure
138138 130130 151151 0.0010.001
DiastolicDiastolic
pressurepressure
8484 8282 8989 0.0010.001
RBSRBS 112.7112.7 110.5110.5 147.0147.0 0.0010.001
CholesterolCholesterol 218.6218.6 206206 222222 0.290.29
TriglycerideTriglyceride 230.7230.7 221221 240240 0.90.9

18. Smoking status of patientsSmoking status of patients
(x(x22
6.0, p 0.1)6.0, p 0.1)
5
14
76
6
8
41
7
3
52
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Non-smoker
Ex-smoker
Current smoker

19. Passive SmokerPassive Smoker
(x(x22
0.24, p 0.88)0.24, p 0.88)
17
78
8
46
10
52
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Passive
Smoker -
Passive
Smoker +

20. DrinkingDrinking Habit>21 unit/weekHabit>21 unit/week
((xx22
0.06, p 0.970.06, p 0.97))
6
89
3
52
4
58
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Drinking-
Drinking+

21. Sedentary JobSedentary Job
(x2 0.07, p 0.96)(x2 0.07, p 0.96)
76
19
45
10
50
12
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Job Sedantay -
Job Sedantay +

22. Regular Exercise 3 times/weekRegular Exercise 3 times/week
(x(x22
1.05, p 0.54)1.05, p 0.54)
17
78
7
48
8
54
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Exercise-
Exercise+

24. Coffee Intake >2 cups/dayCoffee Intake >2 cups/day
(x(x22
3.9, p 0.13)3.9, p 0.13)
46
16
32
23
58
37
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
SPA SNA CVD
coffee-
coffee+

25. Fish 3 times a weekFish 3 times a week
(x(x22
all, p 0.94)all, p 0.94)
71
11
38
7
44
7
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
CVD SNA SPA
Fish -
Fish +

26. Fruit Once a DayFruit Once a Day
(x(x22
0.10, p 0.94)0.10, p 0.94)
51
44
28
26
34
28
0
20
40
60
80
100
CVD SNA SPA
Fruit -
Fruit +

27. ConclusionConclusion
 Life style factors are similar among 3Life style factors are similar among 3
patient groupspatient groups
 BMI, WHR, blood pressure and sugarBMI, WHR, blood pressure and sugar
level were significantly different butlevel were significantly different but
in favour of arthritis patientsin favour of arthritis patients
 CVD risk factors should also beCVD risk factors should also be
checked and corrected inchecked and corrected in
rheumatology patientsrheumatology patients