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Lipoprotein (a), lipids, and lipoproteins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
S Rantapää-Dahlqvist1, S Wållberg-Jonsson, G Dahlén
1Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Insights
Rheumatoid arthritis patients show elevated Lipoprotein (a), a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Increased Lp(a) levels correlate with inflammation markers and lower cholesterol, suggesting a complex link between RA and cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with potential cardiovascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Lp(a) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- To explore the relationship between Lp(a) and disease activity markers in RA.
Main Methods:
- Studied 93 patients with classical, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.
- Measured Lp(a) concentrations and correlated them with orosomucoid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count.
- Assessed plasma concentrations of cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein AI.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased Lp(a) levels were observed in RA patients.
- Elevated Lp(a) correlated with orosomucoid, ESR, and platelet count in patients above 480 mg/l.
- RA patients exhibited lower plasma cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol compared to controls.
- Apolipoprotein B and AI showed significant correlations with total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Elevated Lp(a) is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly with markers of inflammation.
- Lower cholesterol and HDL-C levels in RA patients may indicate altered lipid metabolism.
- Further research is needed to understand the atherogenic risk posed by Lp(a) in RA.
Abstract:
Lipoprotein (a), (Lp(a)), an independent atherogenic factor, was significantly increased in 93 patients with classical, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis of median disease activity. In the patients with Lp(a) concentrations above the upper reference value of 480 mg/l there was a significant correlation between Lp(a) and the concentration of orosomucoid, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the platelet count. The plasma concentrations of cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in both male and female patients were significantly lower than in controls. Apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein AI in the patients correlated significantly with total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol respectively.