Table 1.
Summary of the Effects of Biologic DMARDs on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Surrogate Markers
| TNFi | Tocilizumab | Abatacept | Rituximab | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA | SpA | ||||
| Lipid profile | |||||
| Total cholesterol | ↑/- | ↑ | ↑ | ? | ↑/- |
| HDL | ↑/- | ↑ | ↑ | ? | ↑/- |
| TC/HDL | - | ? | ? | - | |
| LDL | - | ↑/- | ↑ | ? | -/↑ |
| TG | ↑/- | - | ↑ | ? | - |
| Surrogate markers | |||||
| PWV | IMP | - | ? | ? | ? |
| AUi | ? | - | IMP | ? | ? |
| FMD | IMP | IMP | ? | - | IMP |
| cIMT | ?/- | IMP | ? | - | - |
| Outcomes | |||||
| Myocardial infarction | ↓ | ↓ | ? | ↓ | ? |
| Stroke | ↓ | ? | ? | ↓ | - |
| Cardiovascular Events | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ | ? | ? |
Notes: “?”: No data or conflicting data, “-”: stable, “↓”: decreased, “↑”: increased.
Abbreviations: IMP, improved; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; SpA, spondyloarthropathies; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; TC, total cholesterol; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; TG, triglycerides; PWV, pulse wave velocity; AUi, augmentation index; FMD, flow mediated dilatation; cIMT, carotid intima media thickness.