Researchers examined data more than 25,000 patients with rheumatoid
arthritis. Most were overweight or obese when they joined the study.
Those who were severely obese were more likely to report some
disability to start with.
Over the course of the study, for up to about 15 years, obesity was
associated with more progression of disability.
Their worsening disability "was not explained by worse disease
activity," said lead study author Dr. Joshua Baker of the University
of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. "This
suggests that obesity causes disability in patients with rheumatoid
arthritis and provides yet another reason for patients to try to
take off a few pounds."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/May/01/images/ads/current/rbc_towing_dailysda_PROM_2018.png)
In contrast to the more common osteoarthritis, which happens when
cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time, rheumatoid
arthritis is an immune system disorder that causes debilitating
swelling and pain in the joints.
In the current study, weight loss was also associated with
disability, but it’s possible this is because people lost weight due
to poor health or frailty as they aged, and not because of a
conscious effort to eat right, exercise more and get in shape,
researchers speculate in Arthritis Care and Research.
The study wasn’t designed to prove whether or how obesity might
directly contribute to disability in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Still, the results suggest that rheumatoid arthritis patients might
feel better if they lose weight, even if it’s not enough to stop
being obese, said Dr. Axel Finckh, a researcher at Hopital Beau
Sejour in Geneva, Switzerland, who wasn’t involved in the study.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2018/May/01/images/ads/current/brickey_lda_061314.png)
"I would say to my patients that they should aim for a slow,
progressive weight loss, associated with increased physical
activity, rather then aiming for unrealistic aims such as reaching
normal weight," Finckh said by email.
While obesity may lead to worsening disability for rheumatoid
arthritis patients, it’s also possible that some people with the
immune system disorder might become obese as a result of this
disease, noted Dr. Predrag Ostojic, a researcher at the University
of Belgrade in Serbia who wasn’t involved in the study.
"Due to disability and chronic pain, patients with rheumatoid
arthritis are less active, and inactivity may contribute in gaining
weight," Ostojic said by email. "On the other hand, obesity may
cause joint damage independently of rheumatoid arthritis, by
excessive joint loading and accelerated degeneration of the joint
cartilage (osteoarthritis), especially on lower limbs and spine."
"Any weight reduction will have positive effect on functional
ability," Ostojic added. "Healthy weight is ideal, but overweight is
also an acceptable target, especially in rheumatoid arthritis
patients who are severely obese."
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Aug/26/images/ads/current/ldn_business_directory_small2_2016.png)
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2HEQD7K Arthritis Care and Research, online
April 29, 2018.
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |