Effect of rosuvastatin as adjuvant therapy to methotrexate on hematological parameters in patients with moderately-highly active rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory disease associated with many extra-articular features including anemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytosis. Rosuvastatin is an antidyslipidemic agent with anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of rosuvastation as adjuvant therapy to methotrexate on hematological parameters in Iraqi patients with moderately-highly active RA. Methods: A single center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 8 weeks duration was performed. Disease activity was measured via calculating the disease activity score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). 40 Patients who were using methotrexate (MTX) intramuscularly were randomly allocated to receive each day either rosuvastatin 10 mg tablet or capsules prefilled with glucose as placebo and were evaluated at baseline and at week 8 for hematological parameters. Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and platelet count were significantly more reduced in rosuvastatin group than placebo group after 8weeks. Non significant changes were observed in the hemoglobin (Hb) amount and white blood cells (WBC) count between groups. No significant correlation was recorded between ESR and Hb in both groups. Conclusion: Low dose rosuvastatin adjuvant to MTX seem to be an effective method to lower ESR and platelet count in rheumatoid arthritis patients. © 2013 GESDAV