Anti-inflammatory effects of different statins in rheumatoid arthritis; a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial

Introduction: Statin family drugs are lipid-lowering agents with anti-inflammatory effects. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of different statins in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients and Methods: Around 161 eligible subjects with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled. They randomly were divided into three groups. The first group received 40 mg/daily atorvastatin, the second group received 40 mg/daily simvastatin, and the third group received placebo as control for six months. To calculate the disease activity, DAS-28 (Disease Activity Score 28) was used while VAS (visual analog scale) was used to assess the severity of pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients. DAS-28, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and lipid profiles were assessed once for the baseline and then after three and six months of intervention. Data was analyzed by SPSS by a P value <0.05 which was set to be significant. Results: DAS-28 score in months 0, 3 and 6 in atorvastatin, simvastatin and placebo groups was (5.36 +/- 1.02, 3.23 +/- 1.24 and 2.81 +/- 1.13), (5.29 +/- 0.87, 2.75 +/- 1.16 and 2.57 +/- 1.00) and (5.52 +/- 0.96, 3.90 +/- 1.10 and 3.87 +/- 1.52), respectively. Mean of DAS-28 score differences between placebo and atorvastatin groups was 0.6 +/- 0.16 (P < 0.01); the score differences between simvastatin and placebo was 0.900 +/- 0.16 that was significant (P < 0.01), however, the score differences was not significant between atorvastatin and simvastatin groups (P = 0.261). Conclusion: Statins decrease inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.