The pleiotropic effects of statins in rheumatoid arthritis

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology Vol. 75; no. 7; p. 910
• Main Authors: Aminifar, Elham, Tavakkol Afshari, Haleh Sadat, Sathyapalan, Thozhukat, Abbasifard, Mitra, Sahebkar, Amirhossein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 05.07.2023
• Subjects: Arthritis, Rheumatoid - drug therapy; Autoimmune Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - complications; Cardiovascular Diseases - drug therapy; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - adverse effects; Inflammation - drug therapy; immunomodulation; inflammation; RA complications; rheumatoid arthritis; statins
• ISSN: 2042-7158
• DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgad024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Studies over the past two decades suggest that statins have a beneficial impact on the complications associated with RA. These complications include RA disease activity and risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This review aims to discuss the efficacy of statin therapy in RA. The current evidence suggests that statins' immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties significantly reduce disease activity and inflammatory response in patients with RA. In RA patients, the risk of CVD is reduced by statin treatment, and statin discontinuation is associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. The combined effect of statins on improving vascular function, lowering lipid levels, and reducing inflammation in RA patients is responsible for the decreased all-cause mortality in statin users. Further clinical studies are needed to ensure the therapeutic efficacy of statins in patients with RA.