In people with excess weight, the effectiveness of modern drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis may be lower than that of lean people. These findings led to a study involving 89 patients who received infliximab.

Of the 15 participants with obesity in half, the treatment was found to be effective by week 16: the score on the special scales for assessment of joint pain and swelling, and the level of proteins associated with inflammation, in their blood decreased significantly.

Among 66 patients with normal or slightly increased weight, 75% were considered effective in treatment, and out of 8 underweight patients, infliximab was effective in seven.

The relationship between the efficacy of treatment and the weight of patients remained even with the scores on the scales before treatment.

The results of the study, published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, suggest that in obese patients, not only infliximab, but also other inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are less effective, including etanercept, adalimumab, Golimumab. All of them affect the immune system of the patient, slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Why the effectiveness of TNF inhibitors in fat people is lower, exactly unknown. However, according to one of the researchers, Dr. Paul P. Tak from the University of Amsterdam, in this can play the role of inflammatory adipocytokine proteins, produced by adipose tissue.

That is, the reason for the ineffectiveness of treatment lies not in the drug itself.

To confirm and multiply the data obtained, additional, larger studies are needed. But their results will have, rather, scientific interest. While doctors and patients should take into account that the effect of TNF inhibitors manifests itself after 3-4 months of treatment. If during this time the effect is not obtained, it is necessary to select other drugs.

News. Gradusnik. En.