Anti-inflammatory effects of low- and high-dose atorvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Aim. To assess the dynamics of an inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid profile during 3-month high- and low-dose atorvastatin therapy (40 mg/d and 10 mg/d) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or coronary heart disease (CHD) and moderate hyperlipidemia (HLP).
Material and methods. The study included 64 male and female patients: 40 with CHD and 24 with RA, aged 45-60 years, with moderate HLP and positive CRP reaction. Atorvastatin therapy effectiveness was assessed by decrease in CRP, total cholesterol (TCH) and low-density lipoprotein CH (LDL-CH) levels, comparing to baseline concentrations.
Results. During high- and low-dose atorvastatin therapy, 84% and 44% of CHD patients, respectively, achieved target LDL-CH levels (< 2,6 mmol/l). Among RA patients, these figures were 67% and 50%, respectively. Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein CH dynamics was insignificant in each group. Maximal reduction in CRP level was observed among CHD patients with initially elevated CRP concentration and RA patients receiving high-dose atorvastatin therapy (reduction by 20% and 65%, respectively); in all the other subgroups, CRP dynamics was insignificant.
Conclusion. Statins reduced CRP concentration in RA patients more effectively than in CHD individuals, possibly, due to initially higher CRP levels among the former.