Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor use is not associated with lipid changes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract

To determine the association of use of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors with differences in lipid levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We studied 807 patients with incident RA to compare differences in lipid levels in TNF-α inhibitor users versus nonusers, with adjustment for relevant covariables. TNF-α inhibitor use was not associated with differences in levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, LDL:HDL, or TC:HDL compared to nonusers. Use of TNF-α inhibitor was not associated with differences in lipid levels in patients with RA.