BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS AND CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES IN THE GEORGIAN PATIENT WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of anti-inflammatory biological drugs (adalimumab, infliximab and rituximab) on the cardiovascular system during the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: Involved in research 70 women aged 18 to 60 years with a confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (diagnosis confirmed by the American College of Rheumatology 2010 (ACR) and European League of Rheumatology (EULAR) classification criteria). Patients on standard treatment and biological drugs were divided into 3 groups, and the third group was divided into two subgroups. The study lasted for 30 weeks. Studies were conducted before and after treatment.

Results: After 30 weeks of treatment with biological drugs, the following changes were observed in all groups: DAS28-ESR and HAQ score values, RF, CRP, and ESR concentrations were significantly lower compared to the control group. A significant increase in TC and HDL-C, without significant changes in LDL-C and TG, was observed in all groups against the background of treatment with biological drugs, as a result of which the atherogenicity index decreased. Decreases in CRP levels at 30 weeks were inversely correlated with increases in HDL-cholesterol. Insignificant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose SBP, DBP and BMI data compared to the control group. Combined therapy with biological drugs led to a significant improvement in the elastic properties of arterial walls.

Conclusion: Before starting the treatment of biological drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the risk of cardiovascular evaluation is full and according to this we need to choose biological drugs and this way we can increase the side effects of drugs.