Rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic disorders

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• Metabolic Medicine

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease linked to metabolic dysregulation and elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• Visceral obesity is a potential mediator connecting RA, metabolic syndrome, and CVD.
• Obesity in RA patients correlates with increased disease activity, reduced quality of life, and impacts treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the associations between rheumatoid arthritis and metabolic disorders.
• To describe the impact of biological therapy on metabolic syndrome components in RA patients.
• To explore how managing metabolic aspects may reduce cardiovascular risk in RA.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular risk.
• Analysis of the role of biological therapies in modulating metabolic changes in RA.
• Examination of the relationship between disease activity, obesity, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by significant metabolic alterations, including those seen in metabolic syndrome.
• Obesity exacerbates RA disease activity and negatively affects quality of life and treatment response.
• Biological therapies show potential in mitigating metabolic disturbances and reducing cardiovascular risk in RA patients.

Conclusions:

• Targeting metabolic alterations and obesity is crucial in managing rheumatoid arthritis.
• Biological therapies offer a promising approach to simultaneously address RA activity and metabolic comorbidities.
• Optimizing treatment strategies for RA, including biological agents, may reduce cardiovascular mortality.