Volume 26, Issue 12 pp. 2498-2508
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Impact of obesity and overweight on C-reactive protein concentrations and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Diana E. Flores-Alvarado

Diana E. Flores-Alvarado

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
Jorge A. Esquivel-Valerio

Jorge A. Esquivel-Valerio

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
David Vega-Morales

David Vega-Morales

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
Andrea N. Garza-Cisneros

Andrea N. Garza-Cisneros

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
Mario A. Balderas-Palacios

Mario A. Balderas-Palacios

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
Dionicio A. Galarza-Delgado

Dionicio A. Galarza-Delgado

Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Search for more papers by this author
Mariana Garcia-Leal

Corresponding Author

Mariana Garcia-Leal

Plataforma INVEST UANL-KER Unit Mayo Clinic (KER Unit Mexico), School of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico

Correspondence

Mariana Garcia-Leal, Plataforma INVEST UANL-KER Unit Mayo Clinic (KER Unit Mexico), School of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Ave. Gonzalitos y Madero s/n 64460, Monterrey, México.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 27 October 2023
Citations: 2

Abstract

Aim

This study aims to assess the association of obesity and CRP concentrations in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and its influence on measures of disease activity.

Methods

A comprehensive search was performed using Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, from the time of their inception to November 2021. Observational studies that evaluated the association between CRP concentrations and obesity or overweight in patients with RA were considered eligible. Correlation coefficients were pooled using the inverse variance method, while effect sizes were pre-calculated for adjusted standardized regression coefficients (β).

Results

A total of 10 studies, which comprised 4024 patients, were included in this systematic review. Individually, most studies report a significant association between CRP concentrations and a higher body mass index or other adiposity measures, but the statistical significance was not sustained when pooling their data together. Through the estimates provided in the present review, it is noted that CRP tends to be more elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. However, this association is not present in men.

Conclusion

CRP tends to be elevated in female patients with RA that have a higher BMI. Further research is required to assess this possible sex-related difference and to aid shared decision-making in order to avoid over-treatment and increased burden in patients with obesity and RA.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022314580.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data underlying this article will be shared on reasonable request to the corresponding author.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.