title: Infliximab induces increase in triglyceride levels in psoriatic arthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate lipid profile changes after anti-TNF therapy in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen PsA patients (eight polyarticular, four oligoarticular, two axial, and one mutilating) under infliximab were included. None had dyslipoproteinemia or previous statin use. Total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions, inflammatory markers, and prednisone use were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparisons of lipid levels between baseline and after three months (3M) of anti-TNF therapy showed that there was a significant increase in mean triglycerides (117.8 ± 49.7 versus 140.1 ± 64.1 mg/dL, P = 0.028) and VLDL-c (23.6 ± 10.5 versus 28.4 ± 13.7 mg/dL, P = 0.019) levels. In contrast, there were no differences in the mean TC (P = 0.28), LDL-c (P = 0.42), and HDL-c (P = 0.26) levels. Analysis of the frequencies of each lipid alteration at baseline and at 3M were alike (P > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between VLDL-c and CRP (r = 0.647, P = 0.009) and between triglycerides and CRP (r = 0.604, P = 0.017) levels at 3M. ESR reduction was observed after 3M (P = 0.04). Mean prednisone dose remained stable at beginning and at 3M (P = 0.37).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated that anti-TNF may increase TG and VLDL-c levels in PsA patients after three months.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Division, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karla R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Nádia E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Aikawa
authors.forename: Carla Gonçalves
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Júlio C B
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Ana C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.forename: Licia Maria H
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Clovis A A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Eloísa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonfá
authors.forename: Jozélio F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069285:Infliximab; D011241:Prednisone