STUDY OF LIPID PROFILE ABNORMALITIES IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is defined as a chronic multisystem disease with heterogeneous presentation characterization with variable disease progression and extra-articular manifestations. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is also chronic systemic disease affecting primarily the synovium which leading to joint damage and bone destruction. Significant morbidity caused by RA as a result of synovial inflammation, joint destruction and associated disability. RA has an important impact that related to joint damage partly, disability, poor quality of life and also to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The irregular ratio between HDL and TC levels, the reduction in HDL-C as a result increase in the TC/ HDL-C ratio which is important prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Actually increase in the risk of myocardial infarction increases substantially when this ratio is higher than five, which should ideally be four or less.  The ration between serum TC and HDL-C levels in RA are inversely correlated with disease activity which indicated an important role for inflammation in the atherogenic profile and higher atherosclerotic risk observed in RA. Aim: The main objective of this study is to study the lipid abnormalities relation to chronic inflammatory state in RA patients. Material and methods: Total 150 patients were included in these studies that were diagnosed of RA of more than 6 month duration, according to the ACR/EULAR criteria 2010. With more than 20 year of age. With the help of clinical history, examination and investigations data was collection. From all the patients with physical and history with clinical findings and Biochemical evidence were include in this study. From all the patient blood samples were taken. On the same day the samples were analyzed for the levels of trigycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels. Results: In this study total 150 patients were included with different age group with more than age of 20 years up to 60 years old with the diagnosis of RA. Out of 150 patients 24 (16%) were male and 126(84%) were female. Of all total patients, 87 (58%) had dyslipidemia. The mean values for total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were 170.6±36.8 mg/dL, 41.2±12.2 mg/ dL, and 94.3±25.2 mg/dL respectively. Conclusion: There were significantly reduced levels of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. Lipid profile is play an important role to identified cardiovascular disease in patients with RA and it may increase cardiovascular mortality. Therefore Dyslipidemia should be early identification and management should be considered an integral part of RA therapeutic strategies for prevention of CV morbidity and mortality in RA patients.

Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Dyslipidemia, Cholesterol, HDL, LDL