The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7328 p807
4 December 2004

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More evidence for benefit of statins in rheumatoid arthritis

Statin treatment may be advisable in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other chronic inflammatory conditions, say researchers.

They measured arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation in 29 patients with moderately active rheumatoid arthritis before and after 12 weeks of atorvastatin treatment (Lipitor 20mg daily). Atorvastatin reduced arterial stiffness from 34.1 per cent to 29.9 per cent (P=0.0002) with the greatest improvements in those with the most active form of the disease. They suggest that immune modulation may contribute to the cardioprotective effect of statins (Annals of Rheumatic Disease 2004; 63:1571). The researchers have previously demonstrated that atorvastatin reduces the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (PJ, 19 June, p759).