AB1255 SELF-PERCEPTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN RHEUMATOLOGIC DISEASES; CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Background: Several immune-inflammatory diseases are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Risk reduction through improved control of traditional cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors are critically important to reduce the CVR, although the general population must be aware of their CVR to make healthy sound decisions. Individuals who perceive an increased risk are more likely to adopt behaviors to reduce it, such as smoking cessation, exercise, weight loss, and medication compliance. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of the CVR in patients with/without rheumatic diseases (RD). Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study was design. Subjects with RD attending an outpatient clinic were consecutively recruited (RA, SLE, PsA OA, Sjogren syndrome, fibromyalgia, scleroderma, osteoporosis and osteopenia). A complete clinical history was made and a self-applied questionnaire (Precaution Adoption Process Model) was used to assess the awareness of the CVR in patients with RD. Comparisons were made to controls without RD. Frequencies (%), media and median values (q25-q75) were used for descriptive analysis and Chi Square test for comparisons. Results: 250 patients were included with 76 controls and 174 cases. Demographic characteristics shown in table 1. The majority of the patients located themselves in stage 1 of their CVR perception 31.6% in cases vs. 30.3% in controls (p>0.05), other results are shown in figure 2. In the case group, 69.5% have not made any changes to reduce their CVR and the same was seen in controls. Most of the individuals are unaware of their higher CVR even though they have traditional CVR factors. Only 30.5% of the group of RD have received information from a health care provider about their CVR. Conclusion: Even though patients with RD have and increased CVR, most of the individuals perceived it the same as the control group. The majority of the individuals (69.5%) haven’t made any changes to reduce their CVR and many of them didn’t have any source of information about their CVR, and according to EULAR recommendations the rheumatologist is the one responsible. Therefore, they should commit to give a better education to their patients. References [1] Lynch EB, et al. Cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge in young adults and 10-year change in risk factors: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;164:1171Y1179. [2] Elmer PJ, et al. Effects of comprehensive lifestyle modification on diet, weight, physical fitness and blood pressure control: 18 months results of a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:485Y495. Disclosure of Interests: None declared