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Review

The inextricable link between atherosclerosis and prototypical inflammatory diseases rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Louise E Full email, Cristina Ruisanchez email and Claudia Monaco email

Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Aspenlea Road, London, W6 8LH, UK

author email corresponding author email

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009, 11:217doi:10.1186/ar2631

Published: 3 April 2009

Abstract

The increased burden of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus has recently become the focus of intense investigation. Proatherogenic risk factors and dysregulated inflammation are the main culprits, leading to enhanced atherosclerosis in subgroups of patients with inflammatory diseases. Common molecular pathways shared by atherosclerosis and inflammatory disease may be involved. In this review we map the key determinants of the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients with inflammatory diseases at each step of the atherogenesis.


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