Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Clinical Trials

• Age 18-75 years of age for patients who regularly use NSAIDs.

• Age 18-65 years of age for patients who do not regularly use NSAIDs

• Able to give informed consent

• Subjects with CVD or increased CV risk. Please see definitions for each criteria below:

‣ Increased CV risk (Subjects should have at least 3 of the following)

• \> 55 years of age

∙ Hypertension

∙ Dyslipidemia (LDL \> 160 mg/dL or HDL \< 40 mg/dL in females and \< 35 mg/dL in males or subjects currently receiving lipid lowering therapy as standard of care (i.e. statin drugs, prescription ω 3-acid ethyl esters, fibrates or prescription niacin \[≥1,000 mg/d\])

∙ Family history of premature CV disease (MI, angina pectoris, heart failure, cardiac death or coronary revascularization, stroke, carotid endarterectomy, or other arterial surgery or angioplasty for atherosclerotic vascular disease in a parent, grandparent, or sibling with symptom onset or diagnosis before age 55 y for males and 65 y for females)

∙ Current smoker

∙ Left ventricular hypertrophy

∙ Documented ankle brachial index of \<0.9

∙ History of microalbuminuria, urine protein-creatinine ratio of \>2

⁃ CV disease (defined as one of the following):

• Calcium score of \>0

∙ ≥ 50 % occlusion of a coronary artery by angiography

∙ ≥ 50 % occlusion of a carotid artery by angiography or ultrasound

∙ History of stable angina

∙ Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease

∙ Prior MI, unstable angina, percutaneous coronary intervention, CABG, TIA, ischemic stroke, carotid endarterectomy, or other arterial surgery or angioplasty, which have occurred \> 3 months prior to screening visit

∙ Diabetes Mellitus type 1 or 2 (considered a CV disease equivalent).

⁃ Clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, as determined by individual patient and physician, requiring daily treatment with NSAIDs.