Evaluation of Liver Function and Lipid profiles in Iraqi patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with a destructive pattern that affects the joints. It affects the synovial lining tissue of the joints. Females develop rheumatoid arthritis at a higher risk than males. The main treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is disease-modifying anti-rheumatic agents (DMARD) such as methotrexate (MTX) and Etanercept. In this study, ESR, CRP, liver function enzymes, renal function tests and lipid profile were evaluated for rheumatoid arthritis patients. The study includes 120 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 60 healthy individuals as a control group with an age range between (20-60) years. The obtained results indicated a significant increase in ESR, CRP activity (p <0.01) in patients compared to the control values. The results also indicated a substantial increase in liver enzymes activity, renal function and lipid profile parameters in rheumatoid arthritis compared to the control values. In conclusion, it appears that DMARD treatment such as methotrexate may be the cause of many complications such as renal impairment. On this basis, we can suggest lowering the weekly dose of methotrexate to patients when effects on liver enzymes activity, renal function, lipid profiles and/or changing treatment when MTX is no longer beneficial.