Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship among inflammatory charge, cardiovascular risk and bone metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating biological therapy treatment. Patients and methods: This is a prospective cohort study conducted in patients diagnosed with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) assessed in the Rheumatology Unit and initiating biological therapy. Patients will be selected consecutively, with preliminary data on 14 patients. We present preliminary data from 14 patients. Results: Reduced Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) concentrations after commencing biological therapy were detected (baseline: 53.12±60.43 pg/ml vs 6 months 13.5±23.2 pg/ml, p=0.307) but without statistical significance. Changes were found in markers for bone remodeling with increased osteocalcin levels and CTX which were not statistically significant either. Conclusions: We observed a nonsignificant decrease in DKK1 serum in patients with active RA treated with biologic therapy. Expanding the scope of study subjects and pending biochemical determinations will allow us, in the near future, to establish more precisely this link and the relationship of DKK1, bone remodeling, biological therapy and cardiovascular disease in RA patients.
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