“…Furthermore, patients with ARDs might develop subclinical CVDs, which are also increased in patients with RA and SLE. Carotid artery plaque, carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) and coronary calcification are more prevalent in both RA and SLE (Ferrante, 2009;Kumeda, 2002;Asanuma, 2003;Roman et al, 2003;Roman et al, 2006;Ahmad et al, 2007;Wang et al, 2009).…”