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Do Obesity and Adipose Tissue Cytokines Influence the Response to Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Marta Novella-Navarro1,2, Ana Van Den Rym3, Chary López-Pedrera4
1Rheumatology Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
Nutrients
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Obesity does not impact treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis). This study found that overweight/obese RA patients achieved similar low disease activity levels as normal-weight patients when treated with JAKis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Obesity is a common comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), potentially worsening disease control and treatment response.
- Understanding the impact of obesity on RA treatment efficacy is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the clinical response to Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) in RA patients.
- To analyze the role of serum adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) in relation to obesity, disease activity, and response to JAKi therapy in RA.
Main Methods:
- 81 RA patients treated with JAKis were classified by BMI (normal weight vs. overweight/obesity).
- Clinical response was assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) at 6 months.
- Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured at baseline and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Leptin levels correlated positively with BMI, while adiponectin did not.
- No significant correlation was found between BMI and disease activity (CDAI/DAS28) at baseline or 6 months.
- 61.7% of patients achieved low disease activity (LDA)/remission at 6 months, irrespective of BMI, with no significant differences in adipokine levels based on LDA achievement.
Conclusions:
- Obesity was not associated with reduced clinical response to JAK inhibitors in RA patients.
- Janus kinase inhibitors may be a suitable treatment option for overweight and obese RA patients.
- Further research into adipokine roles in RA pathophysiology and treatment response is warranted.
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