(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have another problem to worry about. A new study finds they are at an increased risk for coronary artery disease and an increased risk of death from heart disease.

Several previous studies have shown an increased risk of atherosclerosis and heart attacks in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, researchers from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., say information on how high the risk is has not been clear. They conducted a study comparing patients with rheumatoid arthritis and coronary artery disease to patients with just coronary artery disease. The groups were matched for other factors including age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes, and if they smoked cigarettes. Tests were also done to determine the location and severity of coronary artery disease.

Researchers report patients with rheumatoid arthritis have more advanced coronary atherosclerosis at the time of diagnosis of coronary artery disease compared to patients without rheumatoid arthritis. They also found the risk of death was twice that in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to the other group.

Study authors believe the rheumatoid disease process contributes to the accelerated coronary artery disease. They suggest the high numbers of inflammatory T cells found in rheumatoid arthritis patients may cause an increased risk of coronary artery disease. They say this research shows rheumatoid arthritis is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and that these patients face an increased risk of not only the disease but also death from cardiovascular disease.

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SOURCE: Arthritis Research & Therapy, 2005;7:R964-R991