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Limiting cardiovascular risk in Irish rheumatoid arthritis patients

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Abstract

Background

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death.

Objectives

Our aims were: (1) to assess how thoroughly RA patients were being screened for cardiovascular risk factors in our outpatient population and (2) to evaluate the benefit of introducing a shared care cardiovascular booklet.

Methods

We assessed 80 patients who attend our service with RA. Our initial audit revealed that 80% of patients had not been thoroughly assessed for basic cardiovascular risk. Based on these findings, we created a shared care booklet.

Results

On re-auditing our service, we found a significant improvement in the assessment of cardiovascular risks.

Conclusion

There is currently a low level of screening for cardiovascular risks in busy outpatient clinics. We felt the introduction of a shared care booklet allowed an increased level of screening in our clinics and also acted as a tool for doctor and patient education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rheumatology Department, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    N. L. Ambrose, P. O’Connell & G. Kearns

Authors
  1. N. L. Ambrose
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  2. P. O’Connell
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  3. G. Kearns
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. L. Ambrose.

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Ambrose, N.L., O’Connell, P. & Kearns, G. Limiting cardiovascular risk in Irish rheumatoid arthritis patients. Ir J Med Sci 178, 53–55 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0252-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0252-x

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