THU0067 Use of cardiovascular drugs in patients with RA, overall and in patients with a history of acute ischemic cardiac events. (23rd January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holmqvist, M.; Eriksson, J.; Askling, J.
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 71(2012)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2014-01-23
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-eular.2032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Data on increased cardiovascular disease (CV) risks in RA are abundant. Less is known about the use of therapeutic or prophylactic CV management in RA. Some studies report a lower use of secondary prevention drugs following acute ischemic events in RA. Objectives: To compare the use of selected classes of CV drugs distributions in RA and in the general population, overall and in subjects with a history of ischemic cardiac events. Methods: From the Outpatient register, we identified a population-based prevalent RA-cohort consisting of all individuals with two or more visits listing RA in non-primary outpatient care 2005-2008, with at least one visit in 2009 (n=34, 133). For each subject, five general population comparators were sampled (n=170, 665). From the Prescribed Drug Register, all filled prescriptions of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), statins, beta-blockers, ACE- and AII-inhibitors, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers (antihypertensives) during 2009 were retrieved. Information on hospitalizations for myocardial infarction or unstable angina within the last five years (2005-2009) was retrieved from the Hospital Discharge Register. Results: Overall, the proportion of RA-patients and comparators treated with low-dose ASA (16%vs15%) and statins (19%vs20%) were similar but the proportion of patients treated with antihypertensives was higher (50%vs42%), similarly so across sex and age-groups (Table). 1, 423 (4.2%) RA-patients and 4, 063 (2.4%) comparators had a history of an acute ischemic cardiac event. Among these, the use of low-dose ASA (74%vs74%), at least one antihypertensive drug (96%vs96%) was similar, but use of statins was slightly less common in RA (75%vs80%). Among subjects without an acute ischemic cardiac event within 5 years, use of low-dose ASA (8%vs9%) and statins (11vs13% were largely similar but the proportion of RA treated with antihypertensives (42%vs35%) was higher. Conclusions: This preliminary analysis does not suggest any major difference in the use of secondary prophylaxis in RA with a history of ischemic cardiac events, but a slightly higher use of anti-hypertensive CV drugs in patients without a history of ischemic cardiac events. More detailed analyses will reveal whether this increased use reflects a met or unmet therapeutic need. Disclosure of Interest: None Declared