INFLUENCE OF THE TREATMENT ON THE PROGRESSION OF SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Kovalenko V.M.¹, Lysenko G.I.², Khimion L. , Garmish O.O. ³

• ¹ГУ «ННЦ «Институт кардиологии им. Н.Д. Стражеско» НАМН Украины», Киев
• ²Інститут сімейної медицини Національної медичної академії післядипломної освіти ім. П.Л. Шупика МОЗ України
• ³ГУ «ННЦ Институт кардиологии им. Н.Д. Стражеско» НАМН Украины», Киев

Summary. Summary. Objective. To investigate the influence of the different schemes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment on lipid profile, immune and cytokine status; progression of atherosclerosis and development of cardio- and cerebrovascular complications in RA patients.Methods. The influence of different schemes of the disease-modifeing anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and corticosteroids on the progression of atherosclerosis and development of cardio-vascular diseases has been investigated in 180 RA patients <50 years old, by use of the data analysis from 2-years monitoring of the immune, cytokine and lipid profile, vascular wall and cardio-vascular system status.Results. It is determined that longtime use of the DMARDs reduces the inflammation, level of immune and cytokine dysbalance, endothelial dysfunction and leads to the decrease in atherosclerosis progression and cardio- and cerebrovascular complications development in RA patents <50 years old.Conclusion. Long-term use of the DMARDs therapy in RA patients younger than 50 years reduces the RA activity, progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and prevents the development of cardiovascular complications.