Key clinical point: A prognostic score based on the multibiomarker disease activity (MBDA) score was a strong predictor of 3-year risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults with rheumatoid arthritis.

Major finding: The cardiovascular disease risk score based on MBDA predicted 3-year CVD risk with a hazard ratio of 2.89; the predicted vs. observed CVD risks over 3 years were 4.5% vs. 4.4%.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of 30,751 RA patients aged 40 years and older identified through Medicare claims data; researchers used clinical and RA variables and MBDA scores to predict a composite cardiovascular disease outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke, or dying from cardiovascular disease within 3 years.

Disclosures: The study was funded by Myriad Genetics. Lead author Dr. Curtis disclosed financial relationships with AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Myriad Genetics, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB during the study period.