Tumour necrosis factor antagonists improve disease activity but not arterial stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objectives. Systemic inflammation may play an important role in the accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular mortality of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Atorvastatin reduced arterial stiffness in RA patients after only 6 weeks, an effect that may be partially mediated by the immunomodulatory effects of this drug. Suppression of inflammation with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists may therefore also improve vascular function in RA; however, TNF antagonists have also been shown to cause or exacerbate congestive heart failure in patients with RA and heart failure. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of treatment with TNF antagonists on arterial stiffness in ..