Waist circumference based abdominal obesity may be helpful as a marker for unmet needs in patients with RA

To assess the impact of abdominal obesity (AO) on disease severity, cardiovascular risk factors, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Two hundred and thirty consecutive outpatients were cross-sectionally assessed. Waist circumference (WC) with a cut-off point of ≥ 102 cm in men and ≥ 88 cm in women indicated AO. Clinical assessment included joint counts, radiographs of small joints, and laboratory tests. Comorbidities and medication were verified from the patients' database. Patient questionnaires included sociodemographics, pain intensity, global disease activity, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), physical activity level, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined according to the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). The association of AO with the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and mental (MCS) and physical component scores (PCS) of the SF-36 and the HAQ was assessed by using regression models with the propensity score as a covariate.

The AO prevalence was 52% in the 200 eligible patients. In a univariate analysis, AO was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, low HAQ score, physical inactivity, disease activity parameters, impaired MCS, higher pain, and increased use of biological drugs and antidepressants. In a multivariable model, only poorer DAS28 (p = 0.018) and poorer HAQ score (p = 0.004) remained significantly associated with AO.

AO is highly prevalent in patients with RA. In addition to cardiovascular risk factors, AO is associated with higher disease activity, higher disability, physical inactivity, more patients' perception of pain, and poorer mental health. Multifaceted promotion of lifestyle habits would be beneficial for improving AO-related health outcomes in patients with RA.