Changes in serum cholesterol loading capacity are linked to coronary atherosclerosis progression in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors' conclusion
CLC change is associated with atherosclerosis progression in a dose-dependent manner, including lipid-rich non-calcified plaques and extensive or obstructive disease that yield the greatest cardiovascular risk.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without CVD at baseline, coronary CT angiography at baseline and 6.9±0.4 years later
- Participants
- 100 patients
- Exposure
- Change in serum cholesterol loading capacity (CLC) over time and coronary atherosclerosis progression
- Outcome
- Atherosclerosis progression (non-calcified, partially calcified or fully calcified plaques, CAC score; new extensive or obstructive disease)
- Follow-up
- 6.9±0.4 years
Methodological detailsobservational
- Observational
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Progression of non-calcified plaque, OR
2.55
95% CI 1.22 to 5.35
Progression of fully calcified plaque, OR
3.10
95% CI 1.67 to 5.76
Progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC), OR
1.80
95% CI 1.18 to 2.74
New extensive or obstructive disease, OR
2.43
95% CI 1.11 to 5.34
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean CLC change (follow-up CLC − baseline CLC)
- Mean CLC change, μg cholesterol/mg protein (SD 3.69)
- 1.54
Modification by RA therapies of the CLC change–progression relationship
- Prednisone unfavourably influenced, biologics and statins favourably affected the relationship (all p-for-interactions ≤0.048)
Original publication
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