The Association between Anthropometric Indices and Disease Severity in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that inflammatory mediators has an important role in its pathogenesis and leads to bone and joints destruction. This inflammatory status can be effected by different factors such as genetic, dietary intakes and hormonal factors. However, the influence of anthropometric on the severity of RA and inflammatory markers is still debatable. The current study was done on a group of patients with documented RA who were under regular visit in our university hospital outpatients clinic from the start until the end of 2012. Based on DAS-28 criteria disease activity was assessed by a rheumatology specialist. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), Waist to hip ratio (WHR),Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) all were measured serum levels of highly sensetive cpp IL-6 and MMP-3, were measured in fasting serum samples. There was a Positive correlation between obesity (body mass index and waist to height ratio) and disease activity score and serum levels of hsCRP (P <0.05). There was no significant correlation between obesity with serum levels of MMP-3 and IL-6 (P > 0.05). Present study indicates a significant direct correlation between obesity and disease activity and systemic inflammation marker (hscRP). In RA thus, control of weight could be a very important strategy for maintenance remission in rheumatoid arthritis.