Affiliations 

  • 1 Faculty, Department of Rheumatology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran
  • 2 Faculty, Department of Nephrology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran
  • 3 Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran
  • 4 Medical Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences , Ahvaz, Iran
  • 5 Dietetics and Nutritional Sciences Programmes, School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
J Clin Diagn Res, 2016 May;10(5):OC32-6.
PMID: 27437268 DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/16538.7814

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3- methylglutary lcoenzyme A) reductase inhibitors (statins) have anti-inflammatory properties which may be particularly useful in rheumatoid arthritis to suppress disease activity and inflammatory factors.

AIM:
The purpose of this clinical trial was to determine anti-inflammatory properties of statins in rheumatoid arthritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Eighty Iranian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, aged between 19 to 75 years were recruited to take part in this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups to take atorvastatin or placebo 40 mg daily as an adjunct to current disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) treatment. Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), swollen joint count (SJC) & tender joint count (TJC) were assessed before and after three months intervention.

RESULTS:
Analysis was based on intention to treat. DAS28 significantly declined in the atorvastatin group in comparison with placebo (p< 0.001). SJC, TJC, CRP and ESR also were significantly dropped in the atorvastatin group in comparison with placebo.

CONCLUSION:
It can be concluded that atorvastatin can suppress RA activity and inflmmatory factors in RA patients for high to moderate grade of inflmmation.

KEYWORDS:
Anti-inflammatory agents; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HMG-CoA; Swollen joint count; Tender joint count

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.