About 40 percent of rheumatoid patients are likely to die of cardiovascular disease, a group of doctors claimed here Tuesday. They called for higher public awareness of rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders conventionally referred to as rheumatism here.

According to Dr. Bae Sang-cheol and Dr. Choi Chan-beom’s joint study of 4,721 rheumatoid arthritis patients, about 25 percent suffered from various cardiovascular diseases. About 15 percent had diabetes or other endocrine system disorders and 5.8 percent were found to have respiratory disease.

Dr. Shim Seung-cheol of Eulji Medical Center said the rate of death from cardiovascular disease was far higher among patients with rheumatoid conditions than those without.

“The earlier rheumatoid arthritis treatment starts, the higher chance they have of avoiding secondary diseases. It is also very likely that early diagnosis and treatment could prevent death (from cardiovascular disease) even if other diseases prevail,” he said.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)