A recent study conducted by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and other institutions has identified a correlation between obesity and more severe disease flare symptoms in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
These findings were presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting, ACR Convergence 2023.
The study focused on patients with early or recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and recruited participants with at least two swollen joints.
Researchers used the OMERACT RA-Flare Questionnaire (RA-FQ) to assess flare symptoms, including pain, stiffness, fatigue, impacts on physical function, and impacts on social participation.
Patients with higher body mass index (BMI) scores showed a linear relationship with higher RA-FQ scores, indicating more severe disease flare symptoms.
The relationship between BMI and RA-FQ scores was even more pronounced when participants were categorized into healthy BMI, overweight BMI, and obese BMI groups.
Patients with an obese BMI had worse RA-FQ scores compared to those in the other two groups.
The study emphasizes the importance of considering patients’ BMI and RA-FQ scores when developing treatment plans for RA flares.
Clinicians should encourage patients, particularly those with obesity-related frequent flare-ups, to focus on weight management as part of their treatment strategy before prescribing additional medications to control symptoms.
Impact on Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
These findings underscore the significance of obesity as a contributing factor to the severity of rheumatoid arthritis flares.
Rheumatologists should incorporate BMI assessments and RA-FQ scores into their treatment decisions, considering weight management as an essential aspect of RA management.
Future studies will explore the long-term impact of BMI on rheumatoid arthritis flares throughout the course of the disease.
Additionally, research may focus on developing programs to help patients with RA address weight management challenges, including muscle mass loss and dietary considerations.
If you care about obesity, please read studies about Scientists find new key cause of obesity and findings of Double whammy: diabetes drug also knocks out obesity.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about Diet and rheumatoid arthritis: foods to avoid for joint health and results showing How an anti-inflammatory diet can help fight arthritis.
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