Impact of Obesity and Adiposity on Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis |
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| Authors: | Michael D George Jon T Giles Patricia P Katz Bryant R England Ted R Mikuls Kaleb Michaud Alexis R Ogdie‐Beatty Said Ibrahim Grant W Cannon Liron Caplan Brian C Sauer Joshua F Baker |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;2. Columbia University, New York, New York;3. University of California, San Francisco;4. University of Nebraska, Omaha;5. University of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;6. Philadelphia VA Medical Center and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;7. Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City;8. Denver VA Medical Center and University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver;9. University of Utah, Salt Lake City |
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| Abstract: | Objective The C‐reactive protein (CRP ) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR ) are important disease activity biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA ). This study aimed to determine to what extent obesity biases these biomarkers. Methods Body mass index (BMI ) associations with CRP level and ESR were assessed in 2 RA cohorts: the cross‐sectional Body Composition (BC ) cohort (n = 451), including whole‐body dual x‐ray absorptiometry measures of fat mass index; and the longitudinal Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA ) registry (n = 1,652), using multivariable models stratified by sex. For comparison, associations were evaluated in the general population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Results Among women with RA and in the general population, greater BMI was associated with greater CRP levels, especially among women with severe obesity (P < 0.001 for BMI ≥35 kg/m2 versus 20–25 kg/m2). This association remained after adjustment for joint counts and patient global health scores (P < 0.001 in BC and P < 0.01 in VARA ), but was attenuated after adjustment for fat mass index (P = 0.17). Positive associations between BMI and ESR in women were more modest. In men with RA , lower BMI was associated with higher CRP levels and ESR , contrasting with positive associations among men in the general population. Conclusion Obesity is associated with higher CRP levels and ESR in women with RA . This association is related to fat mass and not RA disease activity. Low BMI is associated with higher CRP levels in men with RA ; this unexpected finding remains incompletely explained but likely is not a direct effect of adiposity. |
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