Prevalence and Patterns of Dyslipidemia Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Dyslipidemia is a major comorbidity among rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Despite its clinical significance, the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia in RA are understudied, specifically in diverse populations. Understanding these patterns is essential for developing specific interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk in this population.

The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence and patterns of dyslipidemia among patients with RA in Dubai, examining lipid profile changes before, at, and after diagnosis and exploring associated demographic and laboratory factors that may contribute to cardiovascular risk.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Epic medical record system in the Rheumatology Department of Dubai Hospital, Dubai Health, Dubai, UAE, between January 2019 and December 2020, with two-year time frames. One hundred and four patients were included in the study. All were adults aged 21-65, and all their data demographics and laboratory variables were collected from the medical record.

The sample was predominantly female, middle-aged, obese, and Emirati. The prevalence of dyslipidemia among RA patients was 78 (75%) before RA diagnosis. Among those with dyslipidemia, elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were the most common abnormality (55, 52.9%), followed by reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (41, 39.4%). At the time of RA diagnosis, 76 (73.1%) had dyslipidemia, with 52 (50%) having predominantly low HDL levels. After RA diagnosis, 72 (69.2%) had dyslipidemia, with 44 (42.3%) having predominantly high LDL levels. Significant lipid abnormalities were observed in all three phases of the disease during the study. No significant association was found between dyslipidemia and demographic characteristics.

This study showed the prevalence of dyslipidemia among RA patients in Dubai, highlighting the importance of monitoring lipid profiles in RA patients and effective treatment to reduce the risk of CVD in the population for better outcomes.