The increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well known; however, appropriate management of this elevated risk in rheumatology clinics is less clear. Purpose of Review By critically reviewing literature published within the past five years, we aim to clarify current knowledge and gaps regarding CVD risk management in RA. Recent Findings We examine recent guidelines, recommendations, and evidence, and discuss three approaches: (1) RA-specific management including treat-to-target and medication management, (2) assessment of comprehensive individual risk, and (3) targeting traditional CVD risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity) at a population level. Considering that 75% of US RA visits occur in specialty clinics, further research is needed regarding evidence-based strategies to manage and reduce CVD risk in RA. Summary This review highlights clinical updates including US cardiology and international professional society guidelines, successful evidence-based population approaches from primary care, and novel opportunities in rheumatology care to reduce CVD risk in RA.

Objective Although smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular and rheumatic disease severity, only 10% of rheumatology visits document cessation counseling. After implementing a rheumatology clinic protocol that increased tobacco quitline referrals 20‐fold, we undertook this study to examine patients’ barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation based on prior rheumatology experiences, to solicit reactions to the new cessation protocol, and to identify patient‐centered outcomes or signs of cessation progress following improved care. Methods We recruited 19 patients who smoke (12 with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and 7 with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]) to participate in 1 of 3 semistructured focus groups. Transcripts of the focus group discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis to classify barriers, facilitators, and signs of cessation progress. Results Participant‐reported barriers and facilitators to cessation involved psychological, health‐related, and social and economic factors, as well as health care messaging and resources. Commonly discussed barriers included viewing smoking as a crutch amid rheumatic disease, rarely receiving cessation counseling in rheumatology clinics, and very limited awareness that smoking can worsen rheumatic diseases or reduce efficacy of some rheumatic disease medications. Participants endorsed our cessation protocol with rheumatology‐specific education and accessible resources, such as a quitline. Beyond quitting, participants prioritized knowing why and how to quit as signs of progress outcomes. Conclusion Focus groups identified themes and categories of facilitators/barriers to smoking cessation at the levels of patient and health system. Two key outcomes of improving cessation care for patients with RA and SLE were knowing why and how to quit. Emphasizing rheumatologic health benefits and cessation resources is essential when designing and evaluating rheumatology smoking cessation interventions.

No abstract

No abstract