1. Modifications in Lipid Levels Are Independent of Serum TNF-α in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of an Observational 24-Week Cohort Study Comparing Patients Receiving Etanercept Plus Methotrexate or Methotrexate as Monotherapy.
- Author
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Rodriguez-Jimenez, Norma Alejandra, Garcia-Gonzalez, Carlos E., Ayala-Lopez, Karina Patricia, Trujillo-Hernandez, Benjamin, Aguilar-Chavez, Erika Anita, Rocha-Muñoz, Alberto Daniel, Vasquez-Jimenez, Jose Clemente, Olivas-Flores, Eva, Salazar-Paramo, Mario, Corona-Sanchez, Esther Guadalupe, Vazquez-DelMercado, Monica, Varon-Villalpando, Evangelina, Cota-Sanchez, Adolfo, Cardona-Muñoz, Ernesto German, Gamez-Nava, Jorge I., and Gonzalez-Lopez, Laura
- Abstract
Objective. To compare the modifications in lipids between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving etanercept plus methotrexate (ETA + MTX) versus methotrexate (MTX) and their relationship with serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Methods. In an observational cohort study, we compared changes in lipid levels in patients receiving ETA + MTX versus MTX in RA. These groups were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 24 weeks, measuring clinical outcomes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and TNF-α. Results. Baseline values for lipid levels were similar in both groups. HDL-C levels increased significantly only in the ETA + MTX group (from 45.5 to 50.0mg/dL at 4 weeks, a 10.2% increase, P < 0.001, and to 56.0mg/dL at 24 weeks, a 25.1% increase, P < 0.001), while other lipids underwent no significant changes. ETA +MTX also exhibited a significant increase in TNF-α (44.8 pg/mL at baseline versus 281.4 pg/mL at 24 weeks, P < 0.001). The MTX group had no significant changes in lipids or TNF-α. Significant differences in HDL-C between groups were observed at 24 weeks (P = 0.04) and also in TNF-α (P = 0.01). Conclusion. HDL-C levels increased significantly following treatment with ETA + MTX, without a relationship with decrease of TNF-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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