Lipids, Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

Part one of the thesis focusses on the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. It contains the first study to evaluate the effect of a multifactorial approach regarding traditional cardiovascular risk factors in patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, the impact of the presence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the progressions of subclinical atherosclerosis is evaluated. Finally, the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis is evaluated.
Part two of the thesis focusses on the relation between (postprandial) lipemia and inflammation. The level of chylomicrons (as a marker for postprandial lipemia) in patient with rheumatoid arthritis is evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of an oral fat load on postprandial lipemia, inflammation, and vascular function is studied in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, In the latter, the effect of a new type of cholesterol treatment (with a pcsk9-inhibitor) is evaluated on lipemia and inflammation.