Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Disease Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v5i3.1876Keywords:
rheumatoid arthritis, body mass index, obesity, disease activity, adiposity, remissionAbstract
Background: Adiposity has recently been identified as a growing number of modifying factors influencing the activity and treatment response of patients with RA. According to observations and meta-analyses available in the literature, increasing levels of body mass index negatively impact the inflammatory condition and the achievement of remission. Objective: To assess the correlation of BMI with the severity of the disease in the prospective RA group. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of RA patients who met the classification criteria of RA according to the 2010 classification criteria. The measurements of the BMI of each patient were done through the standard measurement of the anthropometry of the patient's weight and height. The measurements of the level of the patient's disease activity were accomplished by measuring the DAS28-ESR, SDAI, and the CDAI. The study used regression to evaluate the effect of the patient's BMI. Results: Higher BMI was associated with increasing levels of disease activity. The mean DAS28-ESR increased from 3.24 in the normal weight group to 4.61 in obese patients, along with parallel increases in the ESR, CRP, and HAQ-DI. The rate of remission fell from 18.7% to 4.5%, according to the groups with increasing BMI. BMI was an independent predictor of increasing DAS28-ESR (β = 0.078, p < .001) and of remission (OR = 0.86 per unit BMI, p = .001). The interaction of BMI and sex was significant. Conclusion: Higher BMI is an independent risk factor for severe RA symptoms and the absence of remission. The incorporation of weight management practices in the treatment of RA can be of benefit.
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