Being Overweight Can Prevent Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Being overweight can prevent rheumatoid arthritis patients from going into remission. According to research presented at the 2007 American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting, 100 patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis were studied to determine if body mass index (a calculation of body fat, height, and weight) affects remission.

The study participants were randomly placed on drug combination therapy that consisted of the 3 DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine plus prednisolone (a corticosteroid), and either placebo or Remicade (infliximab). In cases of inefficacy or intolerability, other DMARDs were substituted, but it was obligatory to use 3 DMARDs and prednisolone.

At 12 months follow-up, 58 percent of patients with normal body weight who were on placebo plus combination therapy were in remission, compared to 35 percent of patients who were overweight and 25 percent of patients considered clinically obese (BMI = 30 or more). However, the effect of being overweight on the ability to achieve remission was not observed in patients taking Remicade and combination therapy. In the Remicade group, 45 percent of patients with normal body weight achieved remission, while 74 percent of overweight patients and 55 percent of obese patients were in remission. Researchers concluded that obesity "induces resistance to conventional anti-rheumatic drugs" but Remicade overcomes the resistance.

Related Resources:

• What's a Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
• What Makes People With Arthritis Overweight?
• Advice for Arthritis Patients About Weight Loss
• Despite Benefits Many Arthritis Patients Avoid Exercise
• Hand Osteoarthritis and Being Overweight - What’s the Connection?

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