Objectives: To investigate abdominal obesity status and related factors in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients: 138 patients with early RA (12 months) and 138 healthy women controls examined from 3/2012-3/2014 were included. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Patients were undergone clinical and para-clinical (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, RF, anti-CCP and hand X rays) examinations. Results: Mean age: 54.6 +/- 13.6
disease duration: 8.4 +/- 5.7 months
RF positive: 69.9 percent. Mean. abdominal circumference and prevalence of abdominal obesity (abdominal circumference or = 80 cm) were significantly higher in RA patients compared to those in controls (86.4 +/- 9.6 vs 79.7 +/- 8.7 cm
p =0.006 and 47.1 vs 31.2 percent). Age, menopausal status, family history of cardiovascular diseases, infrequence physical activities, inflammatory situations, diseases activities, using Glucocorticoids increased significantly the risk whereas using methotrexate decreased the risk of abdominal obesity in RA patients. Conclusions: Prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in RA patients compared to controls
Age, menopausal status, family history of cardiovascular diseases, infrequence physical activities, inflammatory situations, diseases activities, using Glucocorticoids increased significantly the risk where as using methotrexate decreased the risk of abdominal obesity in RA patients. Therefore, the doctors should encourage RA patients to enhance physical activity, well controlling inflammation, suitable drugs utility to in order to reduce risk of abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in these patients.