Effect of Rosuvastatin on Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Health Assessment Questionnaire- Disability Index (HAQ-DI)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rusovastatin on the clinical disease activity index(CDAI) and health assessment questionnaire disability index(HAQ-DI) in rheumatoid arthritis patients(RA).

Methods: A single center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 8 weeks duration was performed. Patients had RA according to the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Disease activity was measured by CDAI and functional disability by HAQ-DI. They were treated by rusovastatin 10mg tablet or identical placebo (PBO).

Results: Of 74 randomly assigned patients, 40 completed 8 weeks. Twenty from the rosuvastatin group and 20 from the PBO. No significant difference between the change of CDAI produced by rusovastatin compared to that of PBO after 8weeks (-45.95±42.14 (-30.87%) versus -26.15±48.05 (-19.03%), p= 0.174) although it was clinically relevant. Also no statistical significant difference between the change of HAQDI produced by rusovastatin compared to that of PBO after 8weeks (-0.48±0.40 (-27.74%) versus -0.36±0.36 (-22.09%), p= 0.477).

Conclusions: Rusovastatin has no statistical significant effect on CDAI and HAQDI, however clinically may be relevant. Large long prospective study is needed.

Key words: Rusovastatin, Rheumatoid arthritis, CDAI, HAQDI.