Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

IntroductionRheumatoid arthritis (RA) due to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces life expectancy. In order to develop cardiac death prevention strategies, it is necessary to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in these patients.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of MetS among patients with RA. International databases (i.e., Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were searched during the period of October 1 and October 10, 20121. Heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed through the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test. Finally, a random-effects meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of MetS.ResultsSixty-one articles with 96 groups and a sample size of 13,644 people were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of MetS was 32% (95% CI: 29.6–34.4). The highest prevalence of MetS is related to studies conducted in Asia (32.7%, 95% CI: 29–36.3) and Europe (32.7%, 95% CI: 27.5.37.9) and the lowest Prevalence was also related to studies conducted in Africa (28%, 95% CI: 28.8–32.2). The prevalence of MetS in men was 33% (95% CI: 26–39) and 34% (95% CI: 29–40) in women. Findings by diagnostic criteria showed that the highest and lowest prevalence of MetS was related to ATP III (37.5%, 95% CI: 30.9–44.2) and EGIR (14.4%, 95% CI: 10.5–18.5), respectively.ConclusionsMetS is highly prevalent in patients with RA and identification of high-risk patients is necessary to prevent cardiovascular mortality.

Metabolic syndrome in antiphospholipid syndrome versus rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus: Association with arterial thrombosis, cardiovascular risk biomarkers, physical activity, and coronary atherosclerotic plaques

“…We also found that MetS prevalence was significantly higher in patients aged ≥40 years than in younger patients. This finding is consistent with previous relevant studies in the general population worldwide ( 45 – 48 ) and in patients with SLE and RA ( 49 , 50 ) indicating that MetS is more prevalent with advancing age. No significant difference was found in MetS prevalence between male and female patients with APS regardless of the diagnostic criteria used.…”

Increased NAFLD risk in newly diagnosed patients with RA during the first 4 years of follow-up: a nationwide, population-based cohort study

“…Previous studies have shown that patients with RA had an elevated prevalence of MetS,14 30 which was also common in NAFLD 10. Besides, RA and NAFLD shared similar pathogenic cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α 13 31–33.…”

“…Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterised by chronic synovitis and bone destruction and is often associated with poor life quality 13. Several epidemiological studies found a high prevalence of NAFLD-related risk factors (eg, MetS, dyslipidaemia and DM) in patients with RA 10 14–16. Besides, the therapy with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) may be another risk factor for NAFLD in RA.…”

Metabolic Syndrome: A Predisposing Factor for Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…1 MetS is frequently observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 2,3 In this regard, MetS abnormalities increase the risk of CV disease in these patients. 4,5 Prevalence of MetS among patients with RA was also associated with the activity of the disease.…”