Does PsA Increase Mortality Risk Following Heart Attack?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was associated with younger age at hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), according to the findings of a recent study. However, PsA was not associated with higher risk for inpatient mortality.

Using data from a nationwide inpatient sample, the researchers identified adult patients who had been hospitalized between 2010 and 2014. They used ICD-9 CM codes to identify patients with AMI and PsA and calculated the odds of inpatient mortality.
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A total of 2691 patients hospitalized with AMI had underlying PsA (mean age 63.778, 37.98% were female). Among the patients with AMI and PsA, most had private insurance (42.65%) and were white (89.7%). Additionally, patients with AMI and underlying PsA were younger compared with those without underlying PsA. “This could likely reflect a cumulative effect of inflammatory burden as well as cardiovascular risk factors,” the researchers stated.

Within the 5 years of follow up, 52 deaths occurred. The researchers found that higher age was significantly associated with higher odds of inpatient mortality. However, the odds of mortality among patients with AMI and underlying PsA were lower compared with those without PsA.

“Decrease in odds of cardiovascular mortality associated with PsA possibly reflects increased awareness of cardiovascular risks in patients with PsA as well increase treatment options to control inflammatory burden,” the researchers concluded. “Reinforcing and educating involved stakeholders will continue to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with PsA.”

Reference

Jatwani S, Chugh K, Jatwani K, Modi V, Kaur J. A 5-year national trend in acute myocardial infarctionamong hospitalized patients with psoriatic arthritis: Data from National Inpatient Sample. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Chicago, IL; October 19-24, 2018. Abstract 2171.