The role of lipoprotein (a)‎ as a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract EN

Objective: To determine the serum LP (a) level in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in order to assess its role in their increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

Subjects: Thirty-two RA patients in the age group 40-50 years (mean 46.5 ± 2.9) and 22 healthy subjects in the same age group as control were selected for this study.

Methods: ESR, CRP, Lipid profile and serum level of LP (a) were measured in RA and control groups.

Results: LP (a) levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in control group (p <0.001).

There was no significant difference in LP (a) levels between male & female subjects in both groups.

Also, there was no significant correlation between ESR (r = 0.18) or CRP (r = 0.27) as a marker of disease activity and LP (a) concentration in RA patients.

There was no significant correlation between LP (a) levels and other lipid profiles in RA patients.

LP (a) concentrations in RA patients with atherosclerotic diseases as IHD, Cerebral infarction or TIA tended to be higher in RA patients.

Conclusions: LP (a) seems to have a significant role in the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in RA patients.