Changes in body composition after 2 years with rheumatoid arthritis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Early changes in body composition may predict CVD development in RA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in lean body mass (LBM), lean mass of arms and legs (LMAL), total body fat mass (BFM), and truncal fat distribution (FD) after two years in early RA patients.
• To identify potential predictors for CVD in RA patients based on body composition changes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 63 early RA patients (disease duration ≤ 12 months) and 63 matched controls were followed for two years.
• Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), measuring LBM, LMAL, BFM, and FD.
• Clinical data including DAS28, HAQ, BMI, comorbidities, smoking, and medications were recorded.

Main Results:

• Baseline LBM and LMAL were lower in male RA patients compared to controls.
• After two years, RA patients exhibited significantly less age-related decline in LBM and less pronounced increases in BFM and truncal FD compared to controls, particularly in women.

Conclusions:

• Early RA patients receiving therapy demonstrated a slower rate of age-related deterioration in LBM and truncal fat distribution compared to controls.
• These findings suggest that body composition changes in early RA are potentially modifiable, offering avenues for CVD risk reduction.