An audit of recording cardiovascular risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus in centres in East Anglia and the South East

Eight years’ experience of regional audit: an assessment of its value as a clinical governance tool

“…Other examples of regional audit have similarly compared, anonymously, performance between units whereas others have not exploited this benefit. 18,19 Interestingly, only 27 (40.3%) respondents to this questionnaire thought that, when comparing between units, anonymity was important. In addition, this regional audit scheme was thought to provide specific educational opportunities for SpRs, namely for developing skills in audit methodology, pro forma design and data analysis, essential generic skills that they are expected to acquire during their training.…”

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and comorbidity

“…Таким образом, исследование эндотели-альной регуляции сосудистого тонуса установило у всех больных РА наличие ЭД, которая усиливалась с нарастани-ем степени активности РА и длительности заболевания, что подтверждает ряд других работ [3,[5][6][7]. Аутоиммунное вос-паление способствует отложению липидов в сосудистой стенке, имеет существенное патогенетическое значение в «дестабилизации» атеросклеротической бляшки и тем са-мым в развитии атеротромботических осложнений [14]. По данным патоморфологического исследования коронарных артерий больных РА отмечены низкий процент критиче-ских стенозов, но при этом высокая частота ранимых бля-шек и более выраженные признаки воспаления сосудистой стенки [15].…”

Inflammopharamacology

“…The primary outcome measure is the disease activity score (DAS)-28 but vascular outcome measures have also been included. Since cardiovascular risk reduction should be integrated with the management of synovial disease activity in RA, we published a cardiovascular risk reduction algorithm and have recently audited East Anglian practice against this (Teir et al, 2008). The audit data demonstrate suboptimal risk management and highlight several challenges involved in the implementation of improved therapeutic strategies to the clinic.…”