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Arthritis

Global Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research published by Riverside Community Hospital estimates that 30.3% of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients worldwide have metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition characterized by central obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. The study, which analyzed data from 32 countries, found significant associations between MetS prevalence and clinical variables such as waist circumference, body mass index, and triglyceride levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The overall pooled prevalence of MetS among RA patients was 30.3% (95% CI: 28.5-32.2).
  • Country-specific analyses revealed the highest prevalence in Iraq (57.3%), Croatia (49.6%), and Singapore (47.1%), and the lowest in Congo (12.0%), Algeria (14.0%), and South Korea (17.2%).
  • When stratified by continent, the estimates varied noticeably: Africa (25.7%), Asia (30.8%), Europe (29.8%), North America (31.1%), and South America (38.8%).
  • Meta-regression analyses identified significant associations between MetS prevalence and key clinical variables, including waist circumference (b = 0.01; P = 0.01) and body mass index (BMI) (b = 0.04; P = 0.04).
  • The study recommends that clinicians consider routine screening for MetS components, particularly central obesity, hypertension, dysglycemia, and dyslipidemia.

Statistics:

  • 30.3% of RA patients worldwide have MetS (95% CI: 28.5-32.2).
  • Iraq has the highest prevalence of MetS among RA patients (57.3%; 95% CI: 49.7-66.4).
  • Also, Congo (12.0%; 95% CI: 5.5-20.5), Algeria (14.0%; 95% CI: 10.0-18.7), and South Korea (17.2%; 95% CI: 7.3-30.1) report the lowest prevalence of MetS among RA patients.
  • Meta-regression analysis identified significant associations between MetS prevalence and key clinical variables:

+ Waist circumference (b = 0.01; P = 0.01)

+ Body mass index (BMI) (b = 0.04; P = 0.04)

+ Triglyceride levels (TG) (b = 0.02; P = 0.01)

+ Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels (b = 0.03; P = 0.02)

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports from Riverside Community Hospital Provide New Insights into Abdominal Obesity (Global prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis). Obesity & Diabetes Week. October 20, 2025; p 114.
  • Global prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Rheumatology, 2025;9(1):116.

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