Rheumatic Disease

Findings from University of Nijmegen, Department of General Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease therapy reported

Rheumatic Disease Library Library Home This article was published in Pain & Central Nervous System Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"Although TNF-alpha has well-established effects on lipid metabolism, the long-term effects of TNF-alpha blockade on lipid pattern are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 1-year therapy with anti-TNF on the lipid profile of RA patients Disease activity (DAS28) and plasma lipoproteins concentrations (total, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, ApoA, ApoB) were assessed in 55 RA patients and 55 controls. The whole RA group was followed up for 6 months, and 31 of the patients were followed up for 1 year In RA patients, DAS28 decreased after 2 weeks from the start of therapy (p <0.001) and remained low during the entire study duration. Short-term effects of anti-TNF on plasma lipid concentrations seemed beneficial and anti-atherogenic. However, these changes did not persist: plasma concentrations of total and LDL-cholesterol and the atherogenic index increased after 6 months and 1 year from the start of therapy. During therapy, the changes in disease activity and inflammatory status were inversely correlated with changes in plasma total and HDL cholesterol levels and positively correlated with the variation of atherogenic index We conclude that one-year therapy with infliximab is likely to lead to a more pro-atherogenic pattern of the plasma lipids concentrations," wrote C. Popa and colleagues, University of Nijmegen, Department of General Internal Medicine.

The researchers concluded: "However, the overall impact of these changes on the cardiovascular risk is more complex, considering the strong anti-inflammatory effects of anti-TNF drugs."

Popa and colleagues published the results of their research in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (Modulation of lipoprotein plasma concentrations during long-term anti-TNF therapy in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2007;66(11):1503-7).

For additional information, contact C. Popa, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Dept. of General Internal Medicine, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

The publisher of the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases can be contacted at: B M J Publishing Group, British Med Association House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR, England.

Keywords: Netherlands, Nijmegen, Cardiovascular Disease Therapy, Arthritis, Cardiovascular Disease, Rheumatic Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.