Objectives:To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the relation between parameters of MetS and clinical aspects of RA.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Patients:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for RA (n = 150).
Methods: Demographic data, arthritis history, medical and therapeutic history were evaluated. Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. Disease activity was evaluated using DAS28 (ESR). Immunological investigations included RF, ESR, CRP, and anti-CCP. Fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured.The patient was diagnosed as having MetS according to 3 definitions; ATPIII (2004), IDF (2005), and JIS (2009).
Results:Prevalence of MetS in rheumatoid patients was 48% (ATPIII definition), 52 % (IDF definition), and 46 % (JIS definition with Egyptian cut-off of WC), respectively. The most prevalent component of MetS was central obesity (75.3- 92 % according to the used definition).DAS28 was significantly higher in patients with MetS with higher number of tender joints and VAS (0-100) and most rheumatoid patients with MetS (68 %) had high disease activity.
Conclusions:The increased prevalence of MetS components in RA patients, suggests greater attention be given to modifiable risk factors, including improvement of dietary habits, physical activity and blood pressure control.