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Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Published on: July 14, 2023
Early rheumatoid arthritis and body composition
Christina Book1, Magnus K Karlsson, Kristina Akesson
1Department of Rheumatology, Malmö University Hospital, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden. christina.book@med.lu.se
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|July 16, 2009
Summary
Early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients show altered body composition, including low lean mass and increased fat mass and truncal fat distribution. These changes may predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, warranting further investigation into their long-term consequences.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiovascular Health
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to joint destruction and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Early detection of CVD predictors in RA is crucial for timely intervention.
- Body composition changes may serve as early indicators of CVD risk in RA patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early alterations in body composition in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
- To determine if lean mass of arms and legs (LMAL), body fat mass (BFM), or truncal fat distribution (TFD) are affected early in RA.
- To identify factors associated with these body composition changes in early RA.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 132 early RA patients (disease duration ≤12 months) was studied.
- Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
- Data were compared to 132 age- and gender-matched controls, with associated factors analyzed via regression models.
Main Results:
- Patients with early RA exhibited lower lean mass of arms and legs (LMAL) compared to controls.
- RA women showed higher body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), and truncal fat distribution (TFD).
- Disease duration correlated with low LMAL in women, while BFM and TFD were associated with disease activity and comorbidities in both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Early rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by low LMAL, high BFM, and high TFD.
- These body composition abnormalities are present even in the early stages of RA.
- Further research is needed to ascertain the long-term clinical implications of these findings.
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