Traditional and Emerging Risk Factors and Characteristics Associated with Hypertension in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are at higher risk for hypertension (HTN) than the general population. This study explored characteristics and risk factors associated with HTN and prevalence of HTN at RA diagnosis. A systematic review including fourteen studies found methotrexate was associated with lower risk of HTN. Corticosteroids and COX-2 inhibitors were associated with higher risk of HTN. In the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (N=2052), 26% were hypertensive at RA diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to explore whether several demographic, behavioural, and clinical characteristics were associated with HTN at baseline. Hypertensive subjects were older [OR=4.99 (95%CI: 3.28, 7.58)], overweight [OR=1.60 (95%CI: 1.11, 2.31)], obese [OR=2.73 (95%CI: 1.89, 3.93)], had diabetes [OR=3.50 (95%CI: 2.27, 5.40)] and hyperlipidemia [OR=2.54 (95%CI: 1.83, 3.53)]. In women, excess alcohol consumption was also associated with HTN. More longitudinal studies are needed to further understand risk of HTN throughout the course of RA disease.