Towards the elucidation of the true impact of adipocytokines on cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis

Adipo(cyto)kines are mostly produced by adipose tissue and orchestrate the adverse impact of excess adiposity on cardiovascular risk. Adipokines also contribute importantly to the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Congruent with data reported in previous investigations, Kang and colleagues report in this issue of Arthritis Research & Therapy that adipokine concentrations are further associated with metabolic risk and inflammation and that the leptin–adiponectin ratio associates with the carotid artery resistive index in rheumatoid arthritis. Guided by evidence reported thus far on cardiovascular risk, we discuss six reasons why careful elucidation of adipokine–cardiovascular risk relations is needed in rheumatoid arthritis.