High-density lipoprotein’s (HDL) net cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) did not change significantly after 6 months of new rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy, except in those with impaired baseline CEC receiving tocilizumab (TOC). This according to a study of 70 patients with RA, including 23 patients taking methotrexate (MTX), 22 taking adalimumab (ADA), and 25 taking TOC. Researchers found:

• Disease activity score (DAS28-ESR) decreased with all treatments.

• Net CEC was not significantly changed after 6 months of RA therapy.

• But, change in net CEC was associated with change in DAS28-ESR.

• In post-hoc analyses of patients with impaired baseline net CEC, TOC therapy resulted in significant improvement in net CEC (21.9% at baseline vs 31.1% at 6 months), but this was not seen in MTX or ADA.

Citation: Ormseth MJ, Yancey PG, Solus JF, et al. Effect of drug therapy on net cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL-enriched serum in rheumatoid arthritis. [Published online ahead of print March 18, 2016]. Arthritis Rheumatol. doi:10.1002/art.39675.