Cardiovascular health metrics and all-cause mortality in osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and unclassified arthritis patients: a national prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Arthritis notably elevates mortality risk. It remains unclear whether the cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics improves the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with all types of arthritis. Methods This study data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to probe the link between CVH and all-cause mortality among arthritis sufferers in the United States. CVH evaluation employed the Life's Essential 8 metrics. Mortality outcomes were scrutinized using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Additionally, a restricted cubic spline analysis delineated the linear relationship between CVH and mortality. The study also delved into the singular impact of each CVH component on mortality. Results In the cohort of 5919 patients with arthritis, improved CVH was linked to lower all-cause mortality. Specifically, each 10-point increment in CVH score was associated with a substantial decline in all-cause mortality risk [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.77, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 0.71–0.83, P < 0.001]. Adjustments for age, sex, race, and social determinants of health further refined the HR to 0.72 (95% CI: 0.67–0.79, P < 0.001). Higher versus lower CVH scores at baseline markedly reduced mortality risk, with the most substantial decrease seen in those with ideal CVH metrics (HR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.26–0.59, P < 0.001). Similar results were not observed in patients with inflammatory arthritis, but were seen in those with osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis, and unknown types of arthritis. Conclusion Ideal CVH substantially decreases all-cause mortality risk among patients with arthritis, confirming the critical role of CVH in arthritis management. This study advocates for CVH interventions as part of comprehensive arthritis treatment plans. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-024-03410-w.