Table 4.
Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the study population (NCEP 2004 definition used)
| Total (n = 387) | MetS present (n = 156) |
MetS abscent (n = 232) |
P value | |
| General demographics | ||||
| Age (years) | 63.1 (55.5 to 69.6) | 65.3 (58.2 to 69.8) | 61.4 (51.9 to 75.4) | 0.001 |
| Sex female n (%) | 282 (72.9) | 110 (71) | 172 (74.1) | 0.429 |
| RA characteristics | ||||
| General characteristics | ||||
| RF positive n (%) | 287 (75.9) | 121 (79.1) | 166 (73.8) | 0.236 |
| Anti-CCP positive n (%) | 250 (67.6) | 101 (68.2) | 149 (67.1) | 0.821 |
| Disease duration (years) | 10 (4 to 18) | 9 (4 to 18.5) | 10 (4 to 17) | 0.008 |
| Disease activity | ||||
| CRP (mg/L) | 8 (5 to 20) | 9 (5 to 20) | 8 (4 to 18) | 0.155 |
| ESR | 21 (9 to 37) | 23 (15 to 40) | 18 (8 to 32) | 0.006 |
| DAS28 | 4.2 +/- 1.4 | 4.25 +/- 1.29 | 4.14 +/- 1.44 | 0.437 |
| Disease severity | ||||
| HAQ | 1.5 (0.63 to 2.13) | 1.63 (0.88 to 2.25) | 1.5 (0.38 to 2) | 0.036 |
| EAD n (%) | 257 (66.4) | 11 (71.6) | 146 (62.9) | 0.076 |
| Joint replacement surgery n (%) | 276 (71.3) | 110 (71) | 166 (71.6) | 0.901 |
| Medication | ||||
| Methotrexate n (%) | 218 (56.0) | 72 (46.5) | 148 (63.8) | 0.001 |
| Sulphasalazine n (%) | 114 (29.5) | 46 (29.7) | 68 (29.3) | 0.938 |
| Hydroxychloroquine n (%) | 77 (19.9) | 26 (16.8) | 51 (22) | 0.209 |
| Anti-TNF n (%) | 45 (11.6) | 20 (12.9) | 25 (10.8) | 0.522 |
| Leflunomide n (%) | 16 (4.1) | 8 (5.2) | 8 (3.4) | 0.407 |
| Prednisol medium dose n (%) | 56 (14.5) | 28 (12.1) | 28 (18.1) | 0.241 |
| NSAIDs/COX-II n (%) | 108 (27.9) | 37 (23.9) | 71 (30.6) | 0.148 |
| Anti-hypertensives n (%) | 171 (44.2) | 107 (69) | 64 (24.6) | < 0.001 |
| Statin/fibrate n (%) | 83 (21.4) | 80 (51.6) | 3 (1.3) | < 0.001 |
| Risk factors for the MetS | ||||
| Waist (cm) | 97.7 +/- 13.13 | 103.5 +/- 13.13 | 93.8 +/- 11.69 | < 0.001 |
| Triglycerides (mmol/L) | 1.2 (1 to 1.6) | 1.5 (1.1 to 2.1) | 1.1 (0.9 to 1.4) | < 0.001 |
| Systolic BP (mmHg) | 140 (127 to 154.5) | 144 (132.5 to 159.5) | 65.3 (58.1 to 69.8) | < 0.001 |
| Diastolic BP (mmHg) | 78.9 +/- 11.18 | 79.68 +/- 11.14 | 78.56 +/- 11.05 | 0.331 |
| HDL (mmol/L) | 1.6 (1.3 to 1.8) | 1.4 (1.1 to 1.7) | 1.6 (1.4 to 1.9) | < 0.001 |
| Insulin resistance n (%) | 140 (37.2) | 87 (62.1) | 53 (37.9) | < 0.001 |
| Criteria for MetS | ||||
| WaistM n(%) | 230 (65.7) | 122 (86.5) | 108 (51.7) | < 0.001 |
| TriglyceridesM n(%) | 147 (38) | 125 (80.6) | 22 (9.5) | < 0.001 |
| HypertensionM n(%) | 311 (80.4) | 151 (97.4) | 160 (69) | < 0.001 |
| HDLM n(%) | 136 (35.1) | 116 (74.8) | 20 (8.6) | < 0.001 |
| FPGM1 n(%) | 57 (14.8) | 47 (30.5) | 10 (4.3) | < 0.001 |
| Albumin/Creatinine ratio | 42 (10.9) | 21 (10.6) | 21 (14.6) | 0.269 |
Results expressed as percentages, median (25th to 75th percentile values) or mean ± standard deviation as appropriate. insulin resistance = homeostasis model assessment ≥ 2.5 or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index = 0.333; waist M = waist circumference > 102 cm in males and > 88 cm in females; triglyceridesM = triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L or on drug treatment for elevated triglycerides, hypertensionM = systolic BP ≥ 130/85 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication; HDLM = high-density lipoprotein level < 1.0 mmol/L in males or < 1.3 mmol/L in females; FPGM = fasting plasma glucose ≥ 6.1 or on drug treatment for elevated blood glucose.
anti-CCP = anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide; BP = blood pressure; COX-II = cyclooxygenase II inhibitors; CRP = C-reactive protein; DAS = Disease Activity Score; EAD = extra-articular disease; ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HAQ = Health Assessment Questionnaire; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; MetS = metabolic syndrome; NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Programme; NSAIDs = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; RF = rheumatoid factor; TG = triglycerides; TNF = tumour necrosis factor.