title: A comparative study on serum lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile between rheumatoid arthritis patients and normal subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disorder, in which Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] increases plaque formation and thus promotes atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease is one of the co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate Lp (a) as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This was a comparative study in which Lp (a) and lipid profile were compared in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 30 sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 normal healthy subjects with an age and sex matched group of 25-80 years. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum Lp (a) concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with controls. Serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in patients as compared to controls. There was no significant difference in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol between patients and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in future due to the increased level of Lp (a). In addition to conventional lipid profile, estimation of Lp (a) can prove to be a valuable tool in risk assessment of population in general and management of disease in particular.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Science and Research, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: K P Shiva
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Govindan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Institute of Medical Science and Research, Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Saleem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basha
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, Affiliated to Bharath University, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, Affiliated to Bharath University, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: C Naveen
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Madha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Swathi
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; lipid profile; lipoprotein (a); rheumatoid arthritis