Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, and type 1 diabetes, were found to be linked with increased CV risks, with risk dependent on the types of autoimmune disorders. In a population-based study from Jan 1, 2000 to Dec 31, 2017, over 22 million individuals were identified from the CPRD bases, of whom 446449 were eligible patients covering 19 autoimmune disorders. In the autoimmune cohort, 23.3 events per 1000 patient-year were found, compared with 15.0 events per 1000 patient-years among the healthy cohort (HR=1.56, 95% CI 1.52-1.59). Additionally, it was found that the number of autoimmune diseases in each patient positively correlated with CVD risk. The CVD risk was 41% higher in those with one autoimmune disorder, 163% higher with two disorders, and almost 300% higher with three or more disorders. When grouped by disease types, the autoimmune disorder with the strongest link to CVD was systemic sclerosis, followed by Addison’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type 1 diabetes. The investigator believed chronic and systemic inflammation, the essence of autoimmune disorders, laid the foundation of the pathophysiology involved, as inflammation in the connective tissues, small vessels, and cardiomyocytes are known contributing factors to CVD.

Reference:

Conrad N, et al. Lancet. 2022 Sep 3;400(10354):733-743.