The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in RheumatoidArthritis Patients

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an independent risk factor of
cardiovascular disease (CVD), causing 30-50% mortality in RA patients.
Metabolic syndrome is a combination of metabolic disorders that can be
manifested as central obesity, impaired blood pressure, or abnormalities of
carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, which is closely associated with CVD in
RA patients. The prevalence and factors associated with the incidence of
metabolic syndrome in RA patients vary in previous studies. This study
aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the incidence
of metabolic syndrome in RA patients at Cipto Mangunkusumo National
Central General Hospital, Jakarta. Methods: A total of 145 RA patients at
the Rheumatology Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General
Hospital from October to December 2021 were included as research subjects
by consecutive sampling method. History taking about the disease and
demographic data, physical and anthropometric examination, and
laboratory tests were done on the patients. The prevalence of the metabolic
syndrome was determined using harmonization criteria. Statistical analysis
was performed to determine the association of the variables of age, smoking
habit, disease activity, duration of disease, glucocorticoid treatment, and
methotrexate treatment with metabolic syndrome in RA patients. Results:
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 19.3% in RA patients with a mean 
age of 49.8 ± 11.6 years. The variables of gender, age, deformity, physical 
activity, extraarticular manifestation, smoking habit, disease activity,
disease duration, glucocorticoid treatment, and methotrexate treatment
were not statistically significant to the incidence of metabolic syndrome in
RA patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in RA
patients in this study was 19.3%, and no variable was associated with the
prevalence of metabolic syndrome.