Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-factorial disease that affects the immune system and ultimately various tissues in the body that typically affects middle-aged individuals. Our objectives were to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its pattern in RA patients in Central India and correlate dyslipidemia with disease activity. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on RA patients at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences and Post Graduate Institute, Indore (M.P.) between January 2014 and December 2015. Lipid profiles were determined following 12-hour overnight fasting, and the association of lipid profiles with and disease activity was determined. Results: The maximum number of cases presented in the age group was 41-50 (36%). The disease is more prevalent in the female population. Maximum number of suffints (34 patients) had duration of disease ranged between 1 to 10 years. Most of the patients presented with high disease activity (90%). Total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in female cases as compared to controls. Similar to total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly higher in female cases as compared to controls. There was no significant difference of High density lipoprotein (HDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Triglyceride (TG) between cases and controls. Mean lipid profile values were similar in male cases and controls. Positive correlation of Disease activity score (DAS)-28 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was observed with total cholesterol and LDL levels in female patients only. No correlation of HDL, LDL and triglyceride were observed with DAS-28 and ESR in both male and female patients. Conclusions: Lipid profiles were similar in both treatment naive and on treatment patients. No significant difference in average lipid profile values expect HDL was observed in two groups created on the basis of RA factor. A lipid profile value has no positive or negative correlation with the duration of disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multi-factorial disease that affects the immune system and ultimately various tissues in the body that typically affects middle-aged individuals. Our objectives were to evaluate prevalence of dyslipidemia and its pattern in RA patients in Central India and correlate dyslipidemia with disease activity.Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on RA patients at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences and Post Graduate Institute, Indore (M.P.) between January 2014 and December 2015. Lipid profiles were determined following 12-hour overnight fasting, and the association of lipid profiles with and disease activity was determined. Results: The maximum number of cases presented in the age group was 41-50 (36%). The disease is more prevalent in the female population. Maximum number of suffints (34 patients) had duration of disease ranged between 1 to 10 years. Most of the patients presented with high disease activity (90%). Total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in female cases as compared to controls. Similar to total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly higher in female cases as compared to controls. There was no significant difference of High density lipoprotein (HDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Triglyceride (TG) between cases and controls. Mean lipid profile values were similar in male cases and controls. Positive correlation of Disease activity score (DAS)-28 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was observed with total cholesterol and LDL levels in female patients only. No correlation of HDL, LDL and triglyceride were observed with DAS-28 and ESR in both male and female patients. Conclusions: Lipid profiles were similar in both treatment naive and on treatment patients. No significant difference in average lipid profile values expect HDL was observed in two groups created on the basis of RA factor. A lipid profile value has no positive or negative correlation with the duration of disease.

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