Values and Correlations between C-Reactive Protein and Apolipoprotein B after Treatment with Methotrexate at Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipid changes related to inflammation have been described in RA. Methotrexate (MTX) treatment is effective in controlling inflammation and decreasing the CRP (C-reactive protein) values.
 AIM: To examine the disease activity, CRP and Apo B values in the detection of new patients with active and untreated RA, and impact of MTX therapy on their levels after 6 months and one year of treatment, and the correlation between their values in this period.
 METHODS: 80 patients with active and newly discovered RA patients who meet the American Rheumatology Association (ARA) 1987 revised criteria were treated with disease-modifying anti-inflammatory drugs (DMARDs) according to the protocol for treatment.
 RESULTS: After a year of therapy RA patients achieved significant decrease in the DAS28 (disease activity score) (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), and CRP values (p < 0.001). Levels of Apo B values at the 12 months were nonsignificantly higher compared to the results obtained at the beginning of the study (p < 0.001). After 6 and 12 months there was a weak nonsignificant negative correlation about the values of CRP and Apo B at baseline and after 12 months (r = –0.15 and r = -0.12 p > 0.05).
 CONCLUSION: Use of MTX therapy at RA patients had a reduced effect on disease activity and inflammation, but the nonsignificance effect on the values of Apo B lipoproteins.

Cardiac Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Inflammation

“…DMARDs are the mainstay of RA treatment and can be separated as synthetic (small chemical molecules given orally) or biological (monoclonal antibodies or receptor constructs administered parenterally) agents. Whilst the anti-inflammatory properties of biological DMARDs are obvious, the mechanism of action of the older synthetic DMARDs is still not fully characterised, although treatment with these agents is associated with reduced inflammation, as indicated by reduced CRP levels in responsive patients [ 103 , 104 ]. Figure 3 indicates known mechanisms of action of current therapeutics.…”

A study of high sensitive C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis patients

“…In a similar study, Ismaili et al included 80 patients with active and newly discovered RA to study the impact of MTX therapy on CRP and disease activity and observed that after a year of therapy RA patients achieved significant decrease in the DAS28 (disease activity score) (p<0.01 and p<0.001), and CRP values (p<0.001). 12 The evidence from trials using early intensive DMARD strategies introduced the concept of 'window of opportunity' and gave rise to early RA (ERA) clinics, supported by the long-term remission, as well as functional, radiographic and prognostic outcomes of starting treatment early. 13 Early DMARD therapy during this 'window of opportunity' (that is within three months of onset) will more readily induce remission and delay progression.…”

Epidemiological Trends of Rheumatoid Arthritis and PADI4, PTPN22, and HLA-DRB9 Genes Distribution in the Kazakhstan Population

“…Women are 3-5 times more likely to be affected by this disease than men, and the initial symptoms of the disease can occur anywhere between 25 and 60 years of age [12], [13], [14]. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, this disease leads to progressive joint destruction, ankylosis, or sometimes death due to complications, and 40-70% of patients lose their ability to work while still of working age [15], [16], [17], [18].…”

“…Data from population studies indicate that there are 25-50 new cases of RA per 100,000 people in the world [7], [16]. The rate of premature death is significantly higher in patients with RA compared to the general population, causing significant reductions in life expectancy [9], [14], [17], [18].…”