Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk

Abstract Background Undertreated risk factors are major contributors to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those with arthritis have an increased prevalence of CVD risk factors. CVD risk factors are often asymptomatic, which may be a barrier their treatment. Arthritis causes pain and immobi...

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Main Authors: Julia Sewell, Sultana Monira Hussain, Yuanyuan Wang, Anita E. Wluka, Yuan Z. Lim, Melinda J. Carrington, Katherine Samaras, Flavia M. Cicuttini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-05-01
Series:BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02674-x
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author Julia Sewell
Sultana Monira Hussain
Yuanyuan Wang
Anita E. Wluka
Yuan Z. Lim
Melinda J. Carrington
Katherine Samaras
Flavia M. Cicuttini
author_facet Julia Sewell
Sultana Monira Hussain
Yuanyuan Wang
Anita E. Wluka
Yuan Z. Lim
Melinda J. Carrington
Katherine Samaras
Flavia M. Cicuttini
author_sort Julia Sewell
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Undertreated risk factors are major contributors to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those with arthritis have an increased prevalence of CVD risk factors. CVD risk factors are often asymptomatic, which may be a barrier their treatment. Arthritis causes pain and immobility, and is a common reason for individuals to seek healthcare. Our aims were to (1) examine the relationship between arthritis and CVD risk factors in Australian adults, and (2) calculate the proportion of CVD risk factors that could be reduced if individuals with arthritis were targeted. Methods This cross-sectional study uses data from the 2017–18 Australian National Health Survey which included 13,776 participants, categorised into young (18–39 years), middle aged (40–64 years) and older (≥ 65 years) adults. Hypertension, height and weight were measured. Arthritis, dyslipidemia and diabetes were self-reported. The associations between arthritis and CVD risk factors were examined using logistic regression, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) of arthritis for each CVD risk factor was calculated. Results Arthritis was reported by 4.0% of young adults, 28.8% of middle-aged adults and 54.5% of older adults. Those with arthritis were at increased odds of obesity (2.07 fold in young, 1.75 fold in middle-aged and 1.89 fold in older adults), increased odds of diabetes (5.70 fold in young, 1.64 fold in middle-aged and 1.37 fold in older adults), increased odds of hypertension (2.72 fold in young, 1.78 fold in middle-aged and 1.48 fold in older adults) and an increased odds of dyslipidaemia (4.64 fold in young, 2.14 fold in middle-aged and 1.22 fold in older adults) compared to those without arthritis. This elevated chance remained significant even after adjusting for obesity, with the exception of diabetes in the older population. This elevated chance remained significant even after adjusting for obesity, with the exception of diabetes in the older population. The PAF of the presence of arthritis for having at least one CVD risk factor was 30.7% in middle-aged adults and 70.4% in older adults. Conclusion Australian adults of all ages with arthritis are at increased odds of having CVD risk factors. For young and middle-aged adults, this increased odds remains significant even when adjusted for obesity. Presentation to healthcare practitioners with arthritis is an opportunity to screen for asymptomatic CVD risk factors with the potential of improving outcomes for both diseases. By adopting an approach of managing arthritis and CVD risk factors in parallel, rather than in silos, we could reduce the burden of CVD risk factors by 20–30%.
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spelling doaj.art-bedde84aa47b4a84a377e2b14c42fd902022-12-22T03:26:58ZengBMCBMC Cardiovascular Disorders1471-22612022-05-012211710.1186/s12872-022-02674-xAssociation between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular riskJulia Sewell0Sultana Monira Hussain1Yuanyuan Wang2Anita E. Wluka3Yuan Z. Lim4Melinda J. Carrington5Katherine Samaras6Flavia M. Cicuttini7Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityPre-Clinical Disease and Prevention, Baker Heart and Diabetes InstituteClinical Obesity, Nutrition and Adipose Biology Laboratory, Healthy Ageing, Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityAbstract Background Undertreated risk factors are major contributors to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those with arthritis have an increased prevalence of CVD risk factors. CVD risk factors are often asymptomatic, which may be a barrier their treatment. Arthritis causes pain and immobility, and is a common reason for individuals to seek healthcare. Our aims were to (1) examine the relationship between arthritis and CVD risk factors in Australian adults, and (2) calculate the proportion of CVD risk factors that could be reduced if individuals with arthritis were targeted. Methods This cross-sectional study uses data from the 2017–18 Australian National Health Survey which included 13,776 participants, categorised into young (18–39 years), middle aged (40–64 years) and older (≥ 65 years) adults. Hypertension, height and weight were measured. Arthritis, dyslipidemia and diabetes were self-reported. The associations between arthritis and CVD risk factors were examined using logistic regression, and the population attributable fraction (PAF) of arthritis for each CVD risk factor was calculated. Results Arthritis was reported by 4.0% of young adults, 28.8% of middle-aged adults and 54.5% of older adults. Those with arthritis were at increased odds of obesity (2.07 fold in young, 1.75 fold in middle-aged and 1.89 fold in older adults), increased odds of diabetes (5.70 fold in young, 1.64 fold in middle-aged and 1.37 fold in older adults), increased odds of hypertension (2.72 fold in young, 1.78 fold in middle-aged and 1.48 fold in older adults) and an increased odds of dyslipidaemia (4.64 fold in young, 2.14 fold in middle-aged and 1.22 fold in older adults) compared to those without arthritis. This elevated chance remained significant even after adjusting for obesity, with the exception of diabetes in the older population. This elevated chance remained significant even after adjusting for obesity, with the exception of diabetes in the older population. The PAF of the presence of arthritis for having at least one CVD risk factor was 30.7% in middle-aged adults and 70.4% in older adults. Conclusion Australian adults of all ages with arthritis are at increased odds of having CVD risk factors. For young and middle-aged adults, this increased odds remains significant even when adjusted for obesity. Presentation to healthcare practitioners with arthritis is an opportunity to screen for asymptomatic CVD risk factors with the potential of improving outcomes for both diseases. By adopting an approach of managing arthritis and CVD risk factors in parallel, rather than in silos, we could reduce the burden of CVD risk factors by 20–30%.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02674-xArthritisOsteoarthritisInflammatory arthritisCrystal arthritisCardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular risk factors
spellingShingle Julia Sewell
Sultana Monira Hussain
Yuanyuan Wang
Anita E. Wluka
Yuan Z. Lim
Melinda J. Carrington
Katherine Samaras
Flavia M. Cicuttini
Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis
Crystal arthritis
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular risk factors
title Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
title_full Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
title_fullStr Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
title_full_unstemmed Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
title_short Association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community-based adults: an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
title_sort association between arthritis and cardiovascular risk factors in community based adults an opportunity to target cardiovascular risk
topic Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis
Crystal arthritis
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02674-x
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