Link Between Obesity and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Obesity and the painful autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis are becoming more common, raising the question: Could one have something to do with the other? Reasearchers at Mayo Clinic say, for women, there does appear to be a link. They studied hundreds of patients and found a history of obesity puts women at significant risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

"We know that fat tissues and cells produce substances that are active in inflammation and immunity. We know too that obesity is related to many other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes, and now perhaps to autoimmunity," says co-author and Mayo Clinic rheumatologist Eric Matteson, M.D., "It adds another reason to reduce and prevent obesity in the general population."

Their findings are published online in the American College of Rheumatology journal Arthritis Care and Research.

Soundbites from Dr. Matteson are available in the downloads above.
Expert title for broadcast cg: Dr. Eric Matteson, Chair, Mayo Clinic Division of Rheumatology

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