Anti-inflammatory effects of low- and high-dose atorvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis

Aim. To assess the dynamics of an inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipid profile during 3-month high- and low-dose atorvastatin therapy (40 mg/d and 10 mg/d) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or coronary heart disease (CHD) and moderate hyperlipidemia (HLP). Material and methods. The study included 64 male and female patients: 40 with CHD and 24 with RA, aged 45-60 years, with moderate HLP and positive CRP reaction. Atorvastatin therapy effectiveness was assessed by decrease in CRP, total cholesterol (TCH) and low-density lipoprotein CH (LDL-CH) levels, comparing to baseline concentrations. Results. During high- and low-dose atorvastatin therapy, 84% and 44% of CHD patients, respectively, achieved target LDL-CH levels (< 2,6 mmol/l). Among RA patients, these figures were 67916 and 50%, respectively. Triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein CH dynamics was insignificant in each group. Maximal reductionin CRP level was observed among CHD patients with initially elevated CRP concentration and RA patients receiving high-dose atorvastatin therapy (reduction by 20% and 65%, respectively); in all the other subgroups, CRP dynamics was insignificant. Conclusion. Statins reduced CRP concentration in RA patients more effectively than in CH D individuals, possibly, due to initially higher CRP levels among the former.