Anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy over conventional therapy improves endothelial function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis
Publication Details
Bilsborough, W., Keen, H., Taylor, A., O’Driscoll, G. J., Arnolda, L., & Green, D. J. (2006). Anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy over conventional therapy improves endothelial function in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology International, 26(12), 1125-1131. doi: 10.1007/s00296-006-0147-y
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and inflammation contributes to related endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the effect of anti-TNFα therapy on endothelial function in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. We measured flow-mediated (FMD) and GTN-mediated dilation of the brachial artery before and following 36 weeks of anti-TNFα therapy in nine RA patients and in a group of RA patients on conventional therapy. Thirty-six weeks of anti-TNFα therapy improved FMD relative to those on conventional therapy (8.65 ± 1.50 vs. 1.70 ± 1.36%, P = 0.02). No significant changes in GTN responses were evident. Significant improvements in tender (P = 0.03) and swollen (P = 0.02) joint counts, patients’ global self-assessment (P = 0.01) and DAS-28 scores (P = 0.04) were observed in the anti-TNFα treated group. The addition of anti-TNFα treatment to conventional therapy, in those with severe RA, reduces inflammatory symptoms and improves endothelial function, potentially lowering future atherosclerotic risk.
Keywords
endothelium, rheumatoid arthritis, infliximab, etanercept, ultrasound
