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Lipoprotein (a), lipids, and lipoproteins in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It destroys the tissue in the joints, causes severe joint pain, and limits the mobility of the joints. The most common cause of death in patients with arthritis, as well as in the general population, is heart disease. Several studies have reported that high blood levels of triglycerides (fats), total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein, and lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of developing heart disease. However, other studies have reported that patients with arthritis have generally lower than normal levels of cholesterol in their blood than people who do not have arthritis. Therefore, a study was performed to measure the blood levels of lipoprotein (a), cholesterol, apolipoprotein, and triglycerides in 93 patients with arthritis and in 67 healthy volunteers. The blood levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in the patients with arthritis than in those who did not have arthritis. Blood levels of triglycerides were only slightly lower for those with arthritis. The patients with arthritis had higher blood levels of LP(a) than those who did not have arthritis. There was no relationship between the amount of LP(a) in the blood and the severity of the arthritis. Previous studies have reported that patients with arthritis who are treated with steroid drugs have higher blood levels of cholesterol than those who are not. However, in this study there was no difference in blood levels of cholesterol between those who were treated and those who were not treated with steroids. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Rheumatoid arthritis, Blood cholesterol, Lipoprotein A

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Inflammation-mediated rheumatic diseases and atherosclerosis

Article Abstract:

A chronic inflammatory condition probably accounts for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. For this reason, these patients should receive anti-inflammatory drugs in addition to cardiovascular drugs.

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Nasal manifestations of rheumatic diseases

Article Abstract:

The author discusses rheumatic diseases which, in some patients, can extend to cause symptoms in the nasal passages. These nasal symptoms can also be useful in diagnosis. The discussion includes nasal biopsy techniques.

Statistical Data Included, Biopsy, Nasal fossa

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