title: Association of the use of statins with disease activity and functional status in Puerto Ricans with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statins, which appear to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study sought to determine the association of statins use with disease activity and functional status in a group of patients with RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 209 Puerto Ricans with RA (per the 1987 classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology). Demographic features, lifestyle-related behaviors, disease activity (per Disease Activity Score 28), comorbid conditions, functional status (per Health Assessment Questionnaire), pharmacologic therapy, and patients' and physicians' global assessments using visual analogue scales, were determined. Data were examined using univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the study population at study visit was 56.8 (13.5) years (range: 24-86 years); 175 patients (83.7%) were women. The mean (SD) disease duration was 10.4 (9.5) years (range: 0.0-44.0 years). Thirty-two (15.3%) patients were using statins at study visit, and 36 (17.2%) had used statins in the past. In the multivariable analysis, the current use of statins was associated with higher functional status (odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.80) than was nonuse, after adjusting for age, disease duration, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dyslipidemia. No association between either current or past use of statins and disease activity was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this group of RA patients, the current use of statins was associated with a higher functional status; conversely, no association was found between statins use and disease activity. However, larger and longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.
authors.forename: Magaly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villafrádez-Díaz
authors.forename: Yesenia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Santiago-Casas
authors.forename: Mariely
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nieves-Plaza
authors.forename: Myraida
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Grissel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vilá
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors