ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of statins on inflammation factors in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) .Methods Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were retrieved from the following electronic databases :PubMed(January 1966 to August 2011) ,CENTRAL(Cochrane Controlled trials Register ;issue 3 ,2011) and EMBASE .com(Janu-ary 1984 to August 2011) .Two independent reviewers systematically identified prospective RCTs to detect the effect of statins on inflammation in patients with RA .A Meta-analysis of these clinical trials was then performed .Results 7 RCTs ,enrolling a total of 279 patients .Inflammation level of RA was assessed by erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) level .St-atins had a positive effect on reducing the CRP [x-0 .58s ,95% CI:(-1 .08 ,-0 .09) ,P=0 .02] ,but did not has a positive effect on reducing the ESR[x-3 .62s ,95% CI:(-12 .15 ,4 .92) ,P=0 .41] level in patients with RA .Conclusion Statins therapy in patients with RA may have a positive effect on reducing the inflammation factors level .And more RCTs would be necessary to further con-firme the effect .