Leptin and adiponectin as predictors of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether baseline levels of leptin and adiponectin predict disease activity or response to treatment in patients with RA at 6 months, 1 and 2 years of follow-up.

METHODS

A consecutive cohort of patients, classified according to the 2010 ACR/EULAR RA criteria, was evaluated at baseline, 6 months, 1 and 2 years. All were treated with steroids and/or DMARDs. None received biologics. Blood was taken at a baseline to determine plasma anti-CCP, leptin and adiponectin. The relationship between leptin, adiponectin, DAS28 and changes in DAS28 was assessed by multivariable linear and logistic regression from baseline to follow-up.

RESULTS

127 patients completed 6 months, 91 one year and 52 two years of follow-up. All were female, mean age 45 years (18-70), time since onset of disease 7.5 years (0-36). A U-shaped relationship between DAS28 and leptin baseline levels was seen. Adjusting for different factors, leptin levels at baseline predicted higher DAS28 at 6 months and, in patients who were not overweight or obese, predicted disease activity at 6 months, 1 and 2 years. In patients who were not overweight or obese, baseline leptin was able to predict response to treatment at 6 and 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In the short term, baseline leptin levels predict disease activity in all RA patients and response to treatment in RA patients with normal weight.