Metabolic Syndrome and Atherogenic Indices in Rheumatoid Arthritis and their Relationship with Disease Activity: A Hospital-based Study from Northeast India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a constellation of metabolic abnormalities including hypertension, obesity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia, is highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our aim was to assess the magnitude of MetS and its determinants in RA patients and to evaluate different atherogenic indices that are reflective of the risk for future cardiovascular disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 104 RA patients and 103 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The frequency of MetS was assessed using the guidelines recommended for Asian Indians. RESULTS: A total of 104 RA patients participated with majority being females (85.6%), with a mean age of 43.82 ± 13.32 years. The frequency of MetS in patients with RA (36.5%) was significantly higher than in controls (15.5%). The atherogenic indices were found to be significantly higher in RA patients than controls (P < 0.01). On logistic regression, disease activity score (DAS28) scale for 28 joints and disease duration remained significant independent predictors of the presence of MetS in RA patients (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RA is a kind of chronic disease of long course, and MetS and atherogenic indices are often concomitant in these patients. The study showed that the frequency of MetS was higher in patients with RA than in controls, and that DAS28 and disease duration remained significant independent predictors of the presence of MetS in RA patients.