Obesity and RA

In response to the question posed in class, "Is there an association between obesity and rheumatoid arthritis?", the answer is yes. A number of studies have been performed on this subject and many of them reveal interesting findings. 

First, a couple of studies have been conducted in regards to RA and obesity. Researchers have found that obese patients with RA not only had a decreased quality of life (when compared to normal weight RA patients) but also had increased joint pain, fatigue, and loss of physical function in affected joints. On the flip side, obesity may result from RA because of inactivity due to joint pain.

Next, a study performed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington found some evidence that sex hormones may influence the incidence of RA. Obesity has been found to increase endogenous estrogens and thus may increase the risk for developing RA.

Because both obesity and RA are inflammatory diseases, it makes sense that the two may be associated. Even though it may seem obvious that there is a correlation between the two diseases, more research is required to determine the exact mechanism in how both are related.