Effects of synthetic and biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs on lipid and lipoprotein parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundDyslipidemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is frequently observed, and treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs has an impact on lipid profiles. Pathophysiologically, inflammation leads to decreased blood lipids and lipoproteins; RA treatment reduces inflammation and therefore may increase lipids and lipoproteins. Whether the lipid changes with RA treatment confer an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or just reflect their potentially atheroprotective anti-inflammatory effect is currently unclear due to limited and conflicting data.ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of synthetic and biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs for the treatment of RA on lipid and lipoprotein parameters.ResultsRecent studies on methotrexate emphasize its anti-atherogenic effect. Golimumab combined with methotrexate revealed a trend towards an anti-atherogenic potential. The known pro-atherogenic lipid-spectrum alterations caused by tofacitinib can be effectively treated with atorvastatin. Tocilizumab signals a favorable impact on the extent of lipid modifications when combined with methotrexate. Abatacept indicated a trend towards an anti-atherogenic lipid profile demonstrated by favorable effects on HDL-C and on the TC/HDL-C ratio. Rituximab has beneficial effects on HDL-C and ApoA1, as well as on the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.Clinical implicationsAnti-rheumatic drugs have various effects on lipid parameters, which in part appear pro-atherogenic. However, because many of these lipid changes may well reflect their potentially atheroprotective anti-inflammatory action the cardiovascular impact of these changes remains unclear. Whatsoever, cardiovascular safety trials for antirheumatic drugs would be valuable.     

寰枢椎椎弓根钉棒固定融合治疗上颈椎不稳

目的:探讨寰枢椎椎弓根钉棒固定融合术治疗C1-2不稳的可行性.方法:2006年1月至2009年1月,在气管插管全麻下对18例C1-2不稳患者施行寰枢椎椎弓根钉棒固定融合术,取髂骨植骨,其中男11例,女7例;年龄17～62岁,平均37.7岁;病程3 d～30个月,平均10.6个月.患者术前均有不同程度的枕颈区疼痛和(或)四肢感觉、运动障碍,影像学均提示存在寰枢椎脱位和(或)不稳,JOA评分8～15分,平均11.4分;术后门诊随访,定期复查X线、CT和MRI,观察植骨融合情况,并记录JOA评分.结果:18例患者72枚螺钉成功置入,寰枢椎复位及固定满意,15例患者均获随访,时间6～24个月,平均11.5个月,术后脊髓压迫症状均有不同程度改善,末次随访JOA评分12～17分,平均14.5分;患者在3～6个月寰枢椎骨性融合,无螺钉松动,断钉及寰枢椎不稳现象.结论:对C1-2不稳的患者行寰枢椎椎弓根钉棒固定融合术,具有固定牢固、融合率高的优点,是一种切实可行的有效方法;但不推荐对存在寰椎椎动脉沟、后弓变异患者使用该技术.