RESEARCH - Remicade reduces vascular stiffness in RA patients

[Guest guest]

Infliximab Reduces Vascular Stiffness in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Aug 04 - Rheumatoid arthritis therapy with

the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha blocker infliximab leads to a

reduction in measures of vascular stiffness, UK and Australian

researchers report in the August issue of the ls of the Rheumatic

Diseases.

Dr. Bruce Kirkham of Guy's Hospital, London, and colleagues note that

there is some evidence that TNF-alpha blockade, as well as reducing

rheumatoid activity, may also reduce the incidence of cardiovascular

events and mortality.

To examine whether a reduction in vascular stiffness, as measured by

pulse wave velocity, might underlie such beneficial effects, the

researchers studied 26 patients receiving regular infliximab

treatment.

After follow-up for as long as 56 weeks, the team found a significant

reduction in pulse wave velocity. However, there was no change in

carotid intima media thickness or in carotid artery plaque.

The investigators conclude that " arterial stiffness improves with

long-term infliximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis and that this

seems to occur independently of conventional cardiovascular risk

factors. "

" Vascular abnormalities are somehow linked to chronic active

rheumatoid arthritis, " they add, " but the mechanisms of this link are

unclear. "

Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:1277-1284.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/706962

Not an MD