Lipid paradox in rheumatoid arthritis: The impact of serum lipid measures and systemic inflammation on the risk of cardiovascular disease

Elena Myasoedova, Cynthia S. Crowson, Hilal Maradit Kremers, Veronique L. Roger, Patrick D. Fitz-Gibbon, Terry M. Therneau, Sherine E. Gabriel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

284 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of systemic inflammation and serum lipids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In a population-based RA incident cohort (1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria first met between 1988 and 2007), details were collected of serum lipid measures, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), C-reactive protein (CRP) measures and cardiovascular events, including ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. Cox models were used to examine the association of lipids and inflammation with the risk of CVD and mortality, adjusting for age, sex and year of RA incidence. Results: The study included 651 patients with RA (mean age 55.8 years, 69% female); 67% were rheumatoid factor positive. ESR was associated with the risk of CVD (HR=1.2 per 10 mm/h increase, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3). Similar findings, although not statistically significant, were seen with CRP (p=0.07). A significant non-linear association for total cholesterol (TCh) with risk of CVD was found, with 3.3-fold increased risk for TCh <4 mmol/l (95% CI 1.5 to 7.2) and no increased risk of CVD for TCh ≥4 mmol/l (p=0.57). Low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL <2 mmol/l) was associated with marginally increased risk of CVD (p=0.10); there was no increased risk for LDL ≥2 mmol/l (p=0.76). Conclusion Inflammatory measures (particularly, ESR) are significantly associated with the risk of CVD in RA. Lipids may have paradoxical associations with the risk of CVD in RA, whereby lower TCh and LDL levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)482-487
Number of pages6
JournalAnnals of the rheumatic diseases
Volume70
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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