Impact of Obesity and Adiposity on Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are important disease activity biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to determine to what extent obesity biases these biomarkers.

METHODS: Body mass index (BMI) associations with CRP level and ESR were assessed in 2 RA cohorts: the cross-sectional Body Composition (BC) cohort (n = 451), including whole-body dual x-ray absorptiometry measures of fat mass index; and the longitudinal Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry (n = 1,652), using multivariable models stratified by sex. For comparison, associations were evaluated in the general population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

RESULTS: Among women with RA and in the general population, greater BMI was associated with greater CRP levels, especially among women with severe obesity (P < 0.001 for BMI ≥35 kg/m

CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with higher CRP levels and ESR in women with RA. This association is related to fat mass and not RA disease activity. Low BMI is associated with higher CRP levels in men with RA; this unexpected finding remains incompletely explained but likely is not a direct effect of adiposity.

Volume

69

Issue

12

First Page

1789

Last Page

1798

ISSN

2151-4658

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

28393498

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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