Metabolic Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to determine the relationship of MetS with disease-activities and the factors associated with MetS. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included a total of 174 patients with RA and AS. MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Insulin resistance was assessed with the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) Index. The Disease Activity Score including 28 joints (DAS28) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) were used to measure disease activity. Functional status was evaluated using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI). Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of metabolic syndrome. Results: The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in patients with RA (47%) than in patients with AS (24.56%) (p=0.005). The prevalence of insulin resistance was significantly higher in patients with RA (34.18%) than in patients with AS (17.54%)(p=0.031). No significance difference was found in the disease activity score between RA and AS patients with metabolic syndrome and without metabolic syndrome (p=0.580 and p=0.158, respectively). The number of patients with a higher BASDAI score was greater in AS patients with MetS. Age and body mass index were determined to be predictors for MetS (p=0.015 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion : Higher rates of MetS and insulin resistance were seen in RA patients compared to the patients with AS. Better control of the MetS components and disease activity may help to decrease the prevalence of MetS in rheumatic disease.