ISSN 2149-2263 | E-ISSN 2149-2271
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Protective effects of methotrexate against ischemic cardiovascular disorders in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis: novel therapeutic insights coming from a meta-analysis of the literature data [Anatol J Cardiol]
Anatol J Cardiol. 2016; 16(1): 2-9 | DOI: 10.5152/akd.2015.6136

Protective effects of methotrexate against ischemic cardiovascular disorders in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis: novel therapeutic insights coming from a meta-analysis of the literature data

Renato De Vecchis1, Cesare Baldi2, Leonardo Palmisani3
1Cardiology Unit, Presidio Sanitario Intermedio “elena D’aosta”; Napoli-ıtaly
2Heart Department, Interventional Cardiology, A.o.u. “san Giovanni Di Dio E Ruggi D’aragona”; Salerno-ıtaly
3Hospital Directorate, Presidio Sanitario Intermedio “elena D’aosta”; Napoli-ıtaly

Objective: The association between chronic use of methotrexate and decreased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events (CVE) among patients with psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated using a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: The studies should have recruited adults receiving methotrexate, followed up for at least one year. Moreover, studies should have reported "hard" cardiovascular endpoints, by evaluating the cardiovascular outcomes of the habitual users of the drug or of new users compared with patients with the same disease who had never used methotrexate. The outcome of interest was the overall pooled odds ratio (OR) of major adverse cardiovascular events, i.e., a composite of new- onset angina, acute coronary syndrome, need for percutaneous or surgical coronary revascularization, stroke, and cardiovascular death. The study was performed according to the PRISMA statement.
Results: Seven observational studies, mostly engaging patients with RA, were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0.73 (95% CI=0.70- 0.77 p<0.001). When stratified meta-analysis models were assessed, the pooled OR was 0.80 (95% CI=0.66-0.97; p=0.022) for studies adjusting for clinical severity of RA. Furthermore, the OR was even more significant after adjustment for concomitant use of other drugs specific for RA (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.67-0.75, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Methotrexate at low doses, such those used for maintenance therapy of RA, predicted a decreased risk of CVE. Since methotrexate doesn’t interfere with blood lipids, platelet aggregation or insulin resistance, the protective association may originate from mechanisms other than those exerted by antiplatelet drugs or statins.

Keywords: methotrexate, cardiovascular risk, meta-analysis

Renato De Vecchis, Cesare Baldi, Leonardo Palmisani. Protective effects of methotrexate against ischemic cardiovascular disorders in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis: novel therapeutic insights coming from a meta-analysis of the literature data. Anatol J Cardiol. 2016; 16(1): 2-9

Corresponding Author: Renato De Vecchis, Italy
Manuscript Language: English


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