Cristina Papuc

Moldova

Lipidogram status in pacients with RA

Papuc Cristina1 , Elena Deseatnicova1,2

1 Department of Rheumatology and Nephrology, Nicolae Testemi?anu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chi?in?u, Republic of Moldova
2 Laboratory of Immunology, Nicolae Testemi?anu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chi?in?u, Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased cardiovascular risk. RA-specific lipid changes are influenced by disease activity and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
Aim of the work. To determine the relationship between disease activity and lipid profile in RA patients, with a comparison between patients with low and high activity

Methods

Fifty-nine patients with RA (according to ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria) and 46 healthy individuals were included. Mean age of RA patients: 58.1 ± 5.43 years. Mean disease duration: 10.8 ± 3.4 years. Disease activity was assessed by DAS28-CRP score. Patients were divided into two groups: high activity group (DAS28 > 5.1)- 30 patients and low activity group (DAS28 < 3.2)- 29 patients.
Lipid profile included total cholesterol (CholT), HDL, LDL, LDL, triglycerides and atherogenicity coefficient (LDL/HDL). Data were statistically analyzed.

Results

Results.
Total cholesterol (CholT): high activity: 6.56 ± 0.6 mmol/L; low activity: 5.4 ± 0.5 mmol/L (p < 0.001).
HDL-cholesterol: high activity: 0.98 ± 0.2 mmol/L.;low activity: 1.36 ± 0.3 mmol/L (p < 0.001).
Triglycerides: high activity: 2.2 ± 0.6 mmol/L.; low activity: 1.3 ± 0.3 mmol/L (p < 0.05).
Atherogenicity coefficient (LDL/HDL): high activity: 4.5 ± 0.7,; low activity: 2.7 ± 0.5 (p < 0.001).
Significant correlations: DAS28-CRP and CholT: r = -0.54, p < 0.001; DAS28-CRP and triglycerides: r =0.39, p < 0.001; disease duration and HDL-cholesterol: r = 0.33, p < 0.05. Interpretation: Patients with high disease activity (DAS28 > 5.1) have higher total cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenicity, but lower HDL-cholesterol compared to those with low disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2). These changes indicate a significantly higher cardiovascular risk in patients with high disease activity.

Conclusions

Disease activity directly influences the lipid profile in patients with RA. In patients with high disease activity, lipid changes are associated with high atherogenic risk. Strict control of inflammation may improve lipid status and reduce cardiovascular risk.