Several chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, have been shown to increase coronary artery disease (CAD) risk but the data on systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that reported odds ratio, relative risk, hazard ratio, or standardized incidence ratio comparing CAD risk in patients with SSc versus non-SSc participants. Pooled risk ratio and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated using a random effect, generic inverse variance method. Four studies were identified and included in our data analysis. The pooled risk ratio of CAD in patients with SSc was 1.82 (95 % CI, 1.40 to 2.36). The statistical heterogeneity of this meta-analysis was moderate with an I (2) of 73 %. Our study demonstrated a statistically significant increased CAD risk among patients with SSc.

Several chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, have been demonstrated to increase ischemic stroke risk, but the data on polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies that reported odds ratio, relative risk, hazard ratio or standardized incidence ratio comparing ischemic risk in patients with PM/DM versus non-PM/DM participants. Pooled risk ratio and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird. Three cohort studies were identified and included in our data analysis. The pooled risk ratio of ischemic stroke in patients with PM/DM was 1.61 (95 % CI 1.28-2.02). The statistical heterogeneity of this meta-analysis was insignificant with an I (2) of 0 %. Our study demonstrated a statistically significant increased ischemic stroke risk among patients with PM/DM.

No abstract