Glucose metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Several studies made during the first half of this century suggested an association between chronic arthritis and disturbed glucose metabolism. Moreover, increased prevalence of IGT in patients with idiopathic FTS of the palms has recently been reported and RA is a disease commonly accompanied by FTS. Furthermore, patients with RA are often exposed to drugs that may precipitate or uncover mild undiagnosed DM. For these reasons, glucose tolerance was studied in 101 patients with classical or definite RA. Of these, 4 (4%) had an established type II DM and 6 (6%) a previously undiagnosed IGT. The observed frequencies of disturbed glucose metabolism in RA did not differ from the prevalence rates reported for the general population in Sweden. Hence, this study does not support the previous reports claiming an association between chronic arthritis and disturbed glucose metabolism.