Self-reported adherence to cardiovascular risk reduction intervention of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results of the Francis study

Objectives: Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have an elevated cardiovascular (CV) risk. Recent guidelines suggest strict treatment of CV risk factors. Adherence to therapy, especially in the case of primary prevention, is frequently inadequate (aroud 50%). The aim of this study is to evaluate the self-reported adherence to CV prevention strategies by patients with RA participating in the FRANCIS study, a long term, randomized, single centre intervention study investigating the need for strict CV prevention strategies in RA.