Changes in the cholesterol profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors

Jung Hee Koh, Bong Woo Lee, Wan Uk Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on lipid profiles in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study included patients with RA taking a tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor (TNFi), abatacept, tocilizumab, or a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) for at least 6 months. Changes in lipid profile were assessed at 6 months after the start of treatment, and associations between changes in lipid profiles and clinical efficacy, concomitant medications, and comorbidities were evaluated. Results: This study included 114 patients treated with TNFi, 81 with abatacept, 103 with tocilizumab, and 89 with JAKi. The mean percentage change (from baseline to 6 months) in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and non-HDL-C levels was higher in those taking tocilizumab and JAKi than in those taking TNFi and abatacept. A significant change in non-HDL-C was associated with JAKi (versus TNFi: odds ratio [OR], 3.228; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.536~6.785), tocilizumab (versus TNFi: OR, 2.203; 95% CI, 1.035~4.689), and statins (OR, 0.487; 95% CI, 0.231~1.024). However, changes in disease activity in 28 joints were not associated with a significant change in non-HDL-C. Conclusion: Tocilizumab- and JAKi-associated increases in serum non-HDL-C levels were observed regardless of changes in disease activity. Statins are recommended for RA patients showing a significant increase in cholesterol levels after initiating biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)234-242
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Rheumatic Diseases
Volume30
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Korean College of Rheumatology. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Antirheumatic agents
  • Cholesterol
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

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