▸ The total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio should be used in the formula for estimating CVD risk.
▸ Interventions with lipid-lowering drugs and with antihypertensive medications should follow national guidelines.
▸ Statins, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers are the preferred treatment agents because of their pleiotropic effects. Therapy with 40 mg atorvastatin daily in patients with RA was shown to produce a modest but significant improvement in RA disease activity (Lancet 2004;363:2015-21).
▸ The role of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors (coxibs) and most NSAIDs in most CVD is not well established and needs further investigation; therefore, these agents should be prescribed with caution.
▸ When corticosteroids are prescribed, they should be at the lowest dose possible.
Dr. Nurmohamed reported having no financial conflicts.