Effects of Atorvastatin on Disease Activity and HDL Cholesterol Function in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Summary

This research evaluates the effects of a cholesterol-lowering medication, atorvastatin, on both arthritis activity and the ability of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, sometimes referred to as "good cholesterol") to prevent changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol"), which lead to atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." We hypothesize that atorvastatin may improve both joint inflammation and the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL cholesterol.

Timeline

Start

2003-03

Primary completion

2005-09

Completion

2005-09

Publications

• Charles-Schoeman C, Khanna D, Furst DE, McMahon M, Reddy ST, Fogelman AM, Paulus HE, Park GS, Gong T, Ansell BJ. Effects of high-dose atorvastatin on antiinflammatory properties of high density lipoprotein in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study. J Rheumatol. 2007 Jul;34(7):1459-64. Epub 2007 Jun 1.

Drugs

Indications