| Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis, Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases |
| This page was written by Janey Willis and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer. |
| Statins |
| Statins are a class of drugs that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Recent findings have shown statins to offer some relief to patients with scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases. |
| Statins and autoimmune diseases. In the recent years, pleotropic effects of statins have been reported, which include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. PubMed. Autoimmun Rev. 2005 Mar;4(3):123-9. |
| Long-term beneficial effects of statins on vascular manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis. This pilot study suggests that statins may be beneficial in treating vascular manifestations of SSc, such as Raynaud’s, through their pleiotropic effects. However, this treatment did not correct the defect in endothelial progenitor cells recruitment. Masataka Kuwana. (SpringerLink) Modern Rheumatology July 10, 2009. (Also see: Vascular Involvement, and Raynaud's) |
Do FDA Statin Ad Rules Make Patients Fear Myopathy? Statins cause no more muscle pain than placebo in controlled trials, but many patients (and some physicians) remain convinced of a connection between these lipid-lowering drugs and muscle problems. J. Kelly. Musculoskeletal Report. January 12, 2009. (Also see: Myositis) |
| Statins May Ease Scleroderma. Patients got some relief from the disfiguring disease scleroderma after taking a statin -- a drug widely used to lower blood cholesterol -- Japanese researchers report. InteliHealth. 05/26/07. |
| Simvastatin Reduces Endothelial Activation and Damage But Is Partially Ineffective in Inducing Endothelial Repair in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Treatment with simvastatin results in rapid and significant improvement of measures of endothelial activation, suggesting a potential role of statins in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease in SSc. Journal of Rheumatology. June 2008. (Also see: Raynaud's, and Causes of Scleroderma: Endothelin) |
| Statins: A Potentially Useful Therapeutic Option In The Management Of Systemic Sclerosis-Related Raynaud's Phenomenon And Digital Ulcers. The results of this study suggest that statins ameliorate vascular dysfunction and improve patient function. The good patient tolerance,their safety and relative inexpensiveness may prove statins invaluable in maintaining vascular integrity and a potentially welcome addition to the limited therapeutic arsenal for SSc. A. Abou-Raya OP0161 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's and Digital Ulcers) |
| Scleroderma Treatments and Clinical Trials ISN. |
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