Lipoprotein Phospholipase A2 as a Potent Marker of Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: The two diseases atherosclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are considered to share many similarities, Patients with RA have increased atherosclerosis compared with normal individuals. Aim: To study if lipoprotein phospholipase A2 can be a potent marker of atherosclerosis in RA patients and Correlate lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) levels with the carotid intimal thickening to predict risk of atherosclerosis events in RA patients. Methods: A Case control study conducted among 100 patients came to < study site is not mentioned due to blinded review > in 1 year period. Patients with serologically confirmed RA was taken as cases and Age and sex matched inpatients with other minor ailments without RA are taken as controls included. Cardiovascular events with or without RA patients were excluded. After taking consent, data collected by self-made questionnaire, entered in SPSS and analysed by frequencies, percentages, chi square, t value and Mann Whitney U test wherever applicable. Results: The mean age 54.7 ± 9.82, majority were female (88%). Case and controls were matched for age, sex and comorbidities. There was statistically significant higher level of low- density lipoprotein in cases 121 ± 25.48 compared to control 104.92 ± 22.62. Similarly, an increased level of Lp-PLA2 was found in RA patients with a mean value around 134.22 ± 37.86. Conclusion: CVD risk is enhanced by having RA. This study was statistically proven by increased Lp-PLA2 which was proven by increased Carotid intima media thickness in RA patients.