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Lack of association of high body mass index with risk for developing polymyalgia rheumatica

Deana D Hoganson1, Cynthia S Crowson, Kenneth J Warrington

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. hoganson.deana@mayo.edu

International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
|August 14, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High body mass index (BMI) does not increase the risk of developing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). BMI also did not affect treatment duration or the development of giant-cell arteritis (GCA) in PMR patients.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • High body mass index (BMI) may influence immune system function.
  • Understanding BMI's role in inflammatory conditions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between BMI and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
  • To assess BMI's impact on glucocorticoid treatment duration in PMR.
  • To examine BMI's influence on the development of giant-cell arteritis (GCA) in PMR patients.

Main Methods:

  • Compared BMI in 364 PMR patients versus non-PMR individuals from a population-based cohort.
  • Defined high BMI as >= 25 kg/m2 and low BMI as < 18.5 kg/m2.
  • Analyzed associations between BMI and PMR, glucocorticoid duration, and GCA development.

Main Results:

  • Mean BMI was similar between PMR and non-PMR groups (26 vs 25.9 kg/m2).
  • No association was found between BMI and the duration of glucocorticoid therapy.
  • BMI did not significantly correlate with the development of GCA in PMR patients.

Conclusions:

  • High BMI (>= 25 kg/m2) does not increase the likelihood of developing PMR.
  • BMI does not appear to influence glucocorticoid treatment duration or GCA occurrence in PMR patients.

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