The aim of this study is to examine the associations between inflammatory disease activity and endothelial function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis patients treated with methotrexate and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha)inhibitor in combination or methotrexate or TNFalpha-inhibitor alone. Further, to look for improvement in endothelial function, and decrease in bone and cartilage destruction during treatment with the combination therapy of TNFalpha-inhibitor and methotrexate in RA and Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) patients. Last, examine the TNFalpha inhibitors influence on endothelial function and levels of bone and cartilage markers in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
145
Lillehammer Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases
Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway
To examine the association between inflammatory disease activity and endothelial function in RA and spondyloarthritis patients treated with methotrexate and TNFalpha-inhibitor in combination or methotrexate or TNFalpha-inhibitor alone
Time frame: Baseline (before treatment starts), 6 weeks and 6 months after starting treatment
CRP (C-reactive protein)
Time frame: Baseline (before starting treatment), 6 weeks, 6 months after starting treatment
DAS28 (Disease activity score)
Time frame: Baseline (before starting treatment), 6 weeks, 6 months after starting treatment
COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein 1)
Time frame: Baseline (before starting treatment), 6 weeks, 6 months after starting treatment
IL-6 (interleukin 6)
Time frame: Baseline (before starting treatment), 6 weeks, 6 months after starting treatment
s-RAGE (Receptor of Advanced Glycation End products)
Time frame: Baseline (before starting treatment), 6 weeks, 6 months after starting treatment
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