Angiotensin receptor blockers reduce erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
1 Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
2 School of Engineering & Science, University of Paisley, Paisley, Scotland UK
Correspondence to:
Dr Martin Edward Perry, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, Scotland, UK; martinperry@doctors.net.uk
Accepted 28 January 2008
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
The proinflammatory properties of angiotensin II have been well described.1 Indeed, the angiotensin 1 receptor (AT1 receptor) is present and upregulated in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).2 Two separate studies, have confirmed the therapeutic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)3 and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)4 on joint inflammation in both mouse and rat. ACEi may differ from ARB as the former tend to be non-specific in their anti-inflammatory effect.
To assess the effect of ACEi and ARB on human C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels, a retrospective analysis was performed with patients identified from two centres using computer database and patient questionnaire. A total of 138 patients with RA were identified; 42 patients were prescribed an ARB (losartan), 58 patients prescribed an ACEi (ramipril) and 38 patients were taking neither. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug and statin use was compared between the groups. ESR and
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