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Association between polymyalgia rheumatica and vascular disease: A systematic review

Hancock, Adam T.; Mallen, Christian D.; Belcher, John; Hider, Samantha L.

Authors

Adam T. Hancock



Abstract

Objective
To systematically identify and appraise the existing literature on the association between polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and vascular disease.

Methods
The Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to September 2010. Search criteria included observational studies containing patients with isolated PMR reporting on a vascular outcome. Data were extracted and articles were assessed for quality.

Results
The database search identified 545 articles. Eight articles reporting on 7 unique studies were included in the final review. Four studies reported on vascular mortality and 3 studies reported on other vascular outcomes. Four of the studies reported statistically significant positive associations between PMR and vascular disease and 3 studies reported no statistically significant results. The heterogeneity of the results was investigated; the strongest explanatory variable was that 2 of 3 studies that reported nonsignificant results were prospective, whereas all of those studies reporting significant results were retrospective.

Conclusion
There is some evidence to suggest that, like other inflammatory rheumatic disorders, PMR may be linked to an increased risk of vascular disease. Further studies are required to quantify the level of risk to determine whether patients with PMR should be actively screened for cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.

Citation

Hancock, A. T., Mallen, C. D., Belcher, J., & Hider, S. L. (2012). Association between polymyalgia rheumatica and vascular disease: A systematic review. Arthritis Care and Research, 64(9), 1301-1305. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.21712

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 12, 2012
Online Publication Date Apr 18, 2012
Publication Date 2012-09
Deposit Date Aug 25, 2023
Journal ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
Print ISSN 2151-464X
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 64
Issue 9
Pages 1301-1305
DOI https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.21712