Severe extra-articular disease manifestations are associated with an increased risk of first ever cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Objective: To assess the effect of severe extra-articular rheumatoid arthritis (ExRA) manifestations on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Patients with ExRA (n = 81) according to predefined criteria and controls (n = 184) without evidence of e