Exploring metabolic and inflammatory abnormalities in rheumatoid arthritis patients developing stroke disease: a case-control study using electronic medical record data in northern China.

OBJECTIVES

Intend to investigate the roles of serum lipids, inflammatory markers, and serological status in rheumatoid arthritis and stroke patients by using case-control study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical data were retrieved from the electronic medical record of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University during January 2011 to March 2018. The obtained data were categorized into case groups and three control groups, in the ratios of 1:2, respectively, with all matching age and gender. Multinomial logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline were conducted examining the associations between serum lipids, inflammatory markers, serological status, and the risk of stroke among RA patients.

RESULTS

The present studies included 1057 study subjects. The elevated ESR, LDL-C levels, and much higher CRP levels ≥ 230 mg/L were independent risk factors for RA patients in developing stroke. Furthermore, we found that ESR and LDL-C levels could exhibit a linear association with the risk of comorbid stroke while CRP level had a nonlinearity association with stroke risk among RA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A close monitoring is required for RA patients with dyslipidemia and elevated inflammatory markers, and the primary stroke preventive strategies should be directed against these risk factors.