Patients with RA Who Respond to Treatment Experience Increased Cholesterol

Thus, Dr. Charles-Schoeman counsels rheumatologists not to be surprised if cholesterol levels increase when patients with RA respond to treatment. Additionally, although cholesterol levels are considered surrogate markers for cardiovascular risk in the general population, their prognostic value in patients with RA is less clear. Consequently, rather than focusing solely on cholesterol numbers, physicians should, instead, monitor other cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure. The authors also called for future studies to evaluate the mechanism behind the effects of hydroxychloroquine and triple therapy on cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in patients with RA.

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

Charles-Schoeman C, Wang X, Lee YY, et al. Association of triple therapy with improvement in cholesterol profiles over two-year followup in the treatment of early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis trial. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Mar;68(3):577–586. doi: 10.1002/art.39502.

Although research regarding the increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has burgeoned in recent years, the need remains for a better understanding of the effects of widely used DMARDs on CV risk and risk factors in RA patients. These authors set out to evaluate the long-term changes in cholesterol levels in patients with early RA. Decreases in RA disease activity over long-term follow-up were associated with increases in cholesterol levels in patients with early RA treated with either biologic or nonbiologic therapies…

Experts share insights into how LDL & HDL levels are affected by inflammation & the treatment of rheumatic disease, addressing how targeting these levels may improve cardiovascular outcomes for patients.

Presenters spotlight complex relationship between lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and autoimmune disorders

High incidence of metabolic disease and concurrent inflammation increases risk

Cholesterol Levels in Patients with RA Starting Methotrexate

Cardiovascular Risks & Insights from ACR Convergence 2021

Could Lipids Be a Key to Control Inflammation?

Cardiovascular Disease Risk High in RA Patients

Related Articles