[Lipid profile in early arthritis and its relation with inflammatory activity]

Cardiovascular risk is increased in Rheumatoid Arthritis and it is associated with higher morbility and mortality. Few studies have evaluated the lipid profile in early arthritis (EA).

Aims: To study the lipid profile in patients with EA and its association with disease activity (DA).

Methods: We studied 31 patients with diagnosis of EA and a control group, with age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors matched, who were attended to Rheumatology Unit at Córdoba Hospital from January 2011 to May 2013. We evaluated demographic data, lipid profile and DA by DAS28.

Results: 31 patients were included with mean age of 42.3 years old, 87% female , the cholesterol level was 191.9 mg/dl, HDL 54, LDL 115.8, Triglycerides 117,6; and 31 patients were included in the control group with average age of 42.7 years old, and cholesterol level of 198.7 mg / dl, HDL 56.9 LDL 122.6, Triglycerides 99.6 (p NS). Regards disease activity, in the low DA group the Cholesterol level was 196.3 , LDL 115.8, HDL 62 y triglycerides 95.17, and in the Moderate and High DA the Cholesterol level was 190 mg/ dl, LDL 115, HDL 52 y triglycerides 122,9 (p NS)

Conclusions: The lipid profile was normal and it was not associated with DA in EA patients.