Low frequency of primary lipid screening among Medicare patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Dr. Christie Bartels et al. examined the performance of primary lipid screening in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The retrospective cohort study examined a 5% Medicare sample and found that primary lipid screening was performed in fewer than half of eligible RA patients highlighting a key target for cardiovascular disease risk reduction efforts. Half of RA patients saw their rheumatologist as often or more often than they saw a primary care provider, illustrating the need for optimal partnerships betweeen PCPs and rheumatologists for screening patients for CVD risks.