[Rheumatic diseases as risk factors for cardiovascular disease].

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In addition to mortality, cardiovascular morbidity is also markedly increased in these patients, compared with the general population. The increased cardiovascular risk can be explained only partially by an increased prevalence of classical risk factors for cardiovascular disease; it also appears to be related to inflammation. Prospective intervention trials aimed at the modification of cardiovascular risk factors are needed to determine the impact of cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with rheumatic disease. In addition to SLE, RA and AS should be acknowledged as new risk factors for cardiovascular disease.