The equivocal opposite effects of lower and higher body mass index at diagnosis on radiographic joint damage progression in early rheumatoid arthritis: an inception cohort study over 15 years.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) on long-term radiographic damage in an inception rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort.

Methods

The study population, n=1813, originated from the observational Better AntiRheumatic FarmacoTherapy cohort. X-rays of hands and feet at inclusion, 1, 2, 5, 8 and 15 years were quantified for erosion score (ES), joint space narrowing (JSN) and the sum of modified Sharp-van der Heijde total score (mTSS). Patients were grouped by baseline BMI categories, including additional cut-off BMI ≥27 kg/m². Curve estimation regression analysis and multivariate mixed models were performed.

Results

Inverse relationship between BMI and log-transformed mTSS was identified. In general, patients with higher BMI, compared with

SUBMITTER: Ajeganova S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12314950 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature