EFFECT OF DISEASE-MODIFYING AGENTS ON THE LIPID PROFILES OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective-To determine the effect of intramuscular gold and oral hydro xychloroquine(HCQ) on the lipid profile of patients with rheumatoid ar thritis (RA). Method-A prospective randomised clinical trial of 12 mon ths. duration was performed in 100 RA patients. Data on clinical and l aboratory parameters of disease activity, and fasting serum lipid samp les was collected at baseline and at three monthly intervals over one year. Results-The expected second line response was seen with no signi ficant difference in efficacy between the groups at 12 months. The HCQ group had a significant overall improvement in their lipid profile wh ile there was a trend for lipid profiles in the gold group to worsen. Conclusions-HCQ is an effective second line agent that has beneficial effects on serum lipids. This should be taken into account when choosi ng a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug in patients who suffer from RA and who have significant cardiovascular risk factors.