The Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients Run a Higher Risk for Dyslipidemia as Compared to Adults with Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: We compared dyslipidemia frequencies among children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), with Reactive Arthritis (ReA), adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), & osteoarthritis (OA) to determine their comparative cardiovascular risks. Methods: A retrospective chart review was made for 32 pediatric arthritis (JIA and ReA; 13 males: ages: 2-17 yrs.) & 82 adult (RA and OA; 15 males; ages: 30-85 yrs.) arthritis patients. We statistically compared these groups for total cholesterol (CHO), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (TG), CHO/HDL ratio, non-HDL, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), and the effects of biologics therapy. Results: Pediatric JIA patients were more likely to have abnormal LDL (p=0.0003) & non-HDL (p= 0.006) levels. Pediatric patients were more likely than adult patients to have abnormal LDL (p = 0.005), TG (p < 0.001), and VLDL (p < 0.001) levels. There were no significant differences in lipid profiles for RF/CCP positivity, males, or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) use. Patients who received biologics were less likely to have elevated CHO (p = 0.03) and VLDL (p = 0.05) levels. Conclusion: Pediatric arthritis patients were more likely to have abnormal lipid profiles. RF/CCP positivity, gender, and DMARDs use had no effect on the prevalence of dyslipidemia, whereas biologics had some protective value. Pediatric arthritis patients were more likely to have abnormal CHO/HDL ratios, and LDL, TG, and VLDL levels compared to adult arthritis patients. Thus, pediatric arthritis patients may have a high cardiovascular risk and might benefit from routine lipid screening and lipid lowering therapy.