Analysis of risk factors for cerebral infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To investigate the risk factors, including relevant autoantibodies, for cerebral infarction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Thirty-nine RA patients with cerebral infarction admitted to Weifang People's Hospital since January 2010 were selected as the RA cerebral infarction group. Seventy-two RA patients without cerebral infarction hospitalized during the same period were randomly selected as the RA non-cerebral infarction group. Gender, age, disease duration, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody, anti-SSA antibody, anti-SSB antibody, as well as the presence of comorbid hypertension, diabetes, and smoking status were compared between the two groups. Additionally, Disease Activity Score 28 based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), Disease Activity Score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) levels were compared between the two groups. Results Univariate statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups in anti-CCP antibody levels, the positivity rate of anti-SSB antibody, the proportion of hypertension, and levels of DAS28-ESR, DAS28-CRP, SDAI, and CDAI (P < 0.05). The disease activity in the RA cerebral infarction group was significantly higher than that in the RA non-cerebral infarction group. The most common clinical manifestation in patients of the RA cerebral infarction group was hemiplegia. Conclusion High levels of anti-CCP antibody, positivity for anti-SSB antibody, hypertension, and RA disease activity are associated with the occurrence of cerebral infarction in RA patients.