Evaluation of dyslipidaemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in South Indian population

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality which is mainly due to accelerated atherosclerosis. The inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is likely to alter the lipid profile in these patients resulting in dyslipidaemia which is an important cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor.Material and methods46 patients diagnosed with RA as per 1987 revised American Rheumatology Association criteria were included in the study. Of the 46 patients, 24 were newly diagnosed RA patients and 22 patients were undergoing treatment with a combination of DMARDs with (n = 14) or without (n = 8) corticosteroids. 46 age and sex matched healthy subjects were included as controls. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, lDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 (apo A-1), apolipoprotein B (apo B) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) were measured.ResultsTC, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were similar in all the three study groups. Both groups of patients had significantly elevated triglyceride, apo B and Lp(a) levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). RA patients undergoing treatment had significantly elevated apo A-1 levels when compared to controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe dyslipidaemia pattern in RA patients in the present study is evident in the form of elevated triglycerides, apo B and Lp(a) levels. The beneficial effects of a higher atheroprotective apo A-1 in patients undergoing treatment may be counteracted by the presence of high triglycerides, apo B and Lp(a).