Effects and Mechanism of Atherosclerosis Prevention by DMARDs in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
10.3870/yydb.2014.08.009
- VernacularTitle:抗风湿药物对类风湿关节炎患者心血管疾病的预防作用及机制
- Author:
Li RAO
;
Liufu CUI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Antirheumatic drug;
Arthritis,rheumatoid;
Blood lipid;
Cardiovascular events
- From:
Herald of Medicine
2014;(8):1012-1017
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effect of DMARDs on the prevention of early-onset atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) patients for exploring an appropriate schedule to reduce cardiovascular events. Methods Seventy-two patients with early RA were included in this study. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) and high sensitivity C reactive protein ( hs-CRP) were detected before and after treatment to evaluate inflammation. Carotid intima-media thickness ( cIMT) and endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (ED-FMD) were monitored. Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints (DAS28) and health assessment questionnaire-disability index ( HAQ-DI) was used to assess severity degree of RA and life quality of the patients, respectively. The patients were treated with methotrexate (MTX), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and sulfasalazine (SSZ) alone or combined based on severity of RA. Results After 1 year of treatment, ESR, hs-CRP, DAS28 and HAQ-DI were significantly improved (all P<0. 01). At the same time, the serum lipid levels also had obvious changes. However, there was no obvious difference in body mass index ( BMI) after 1 year. The cIMT ratio value was significantly decreased compared to baseline (0. 43±0. 08 mm vs. 0. 50±0. 16 mm, P=0. 002), and FMD% also significantly improved from basic value of 5. 26 to 7. 57 after treatment (P=0. 041). Conclusion Early intervention of RA by using DMARDs can effectively control the disease and slow the progression of atherosclerosis, but also reduce cardiovascular mortality.
