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Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein subclasses as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with

N Knowlton1, J A Wages, M B Centola

  • 1Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA. n.knowlton@auckland.ac.nz

Arthritis Care & Research
|February 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Apolipoprotein C-III and Apo B lipoprotein subclasses are elevated in rheumatoid arthritis patients with worsening cardiovascular disease. These may represent novel risk factors for atherosclerosis progression in RA.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Lipidology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Traditional CVD risk factors do not fully explain the elevated risk in RA patients.
  • Nontraditional risk factors require further investigation in RA-associated CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III) and specific Apo B lipoprotein subclasses contribute to CVD risk in RA patients.
  • To identify novel lipid biomarkers for atherosclerosis progression in RA.

Main Methods:

  • 152 RA patients underwent assessment of apolipoprotein and lipoprotein levels.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores were measured at baseline and 3-year follow-up.
  • Logistic regression analyzed the association between lipid levels and CAC score progression.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 60% of RA patients showed progression in CAC scores.
  • Progressors exhibited significantly higher levels of triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, Apo B, and Apo C-III.
  • Adjusted analyses identified total cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B, and Apo C-III as significant risk factors for CAC progression.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated Apo C-III-containing Apo B lipoprotein subclasses are linked to atherosclerosis progression in RA.
  • These specific lipoproteins may serve as novel risk factors for CVD in RA patients.
  • Further research into these lipid subclasses could inform targeted CVD prevention strategies in RA.
Abstract

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