LAUSR

Background The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is responsible of a high cardiovascular morbi-mortality. This could be related to an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with (RA) Objectives The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in RA, to identify factors associated with its presence and to evaluate the influence of antirheumatic drugs on its occurrence. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Internal Medicine department over a period from July 2016 to June 2017, including 50 RA patients classified according to the 1987 ACR and/or 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Panel Treatment III 2005 (NCEP/ATP III 2005) definition for the metabolic syndrome. Results There were 50 patients (sex-ratio = 0.28) with a mean age of 50.84 ± 12.52 years. The mean age at the onset of RA was 42.04 ± 12.76 years with duration of 17.52 months (0.8-120 months). The evaluation of the disease showed an average DAS28-VS score of 5.37 ± 1.24 and a significant functional impact (HAQ score ≥ 1) in 36% of patients. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in RA was 40%. Its presence was associated with higher age (p = 0.003), greater disease activity (p=0.044), the presence of a biological inflammatory syndrome (p=0.032) and hyperuricemia (p=0.005). An association was also found with long-term corticosteroid use (p = 0.03). Conclusion Our results are consistent with most of the literature data. Throughout our study, we emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of disease activity and the need for cortisone-sparing. References [1] Da Cunha VR, Brenol CV, Brenol JCT, Fuchs SC, Arlindo EM, Melo IMF, et al. Metabolic syndrome prevalence is increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients and is associated with disease activity. Scand J Rheumatol. 2012; 41 (3): 186–91. [2] Chung CP, Oeser A, Solus JF, Avalos I, Gebretsadik T, Shintani A, et al. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is increased in rheumatoid arthritis and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 2008; 196 (2): 756–63. [3] Dao H-H, Do Q-T, Sakamoto J. Increased frequency of metabolic syndrome among Vietnamese women with early rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010; 12 (6): R218. Disclosure of Interests None declared