Metabolic Syndrome More Common With Psoriatic Arthritis Than Ankylosing Spondylitis

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is significantly higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis compared with patients with ankylosing spondylitis, suggests a study of outpatients at single hospital over a 15-month period. Researchers published their findings online in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The study, which spanned 153 adults with ankylosing spondylitis and 166 adults with psoriatic arthritis, assessed patients of the outpatient clinics at Thailand’s largest teaching hospital using the harmonized criteria for metabolic syndrome. Some 43% of patients with psoriatic arthritis met metabolic syndrome criteria, researchers reported, compared with 19% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.  

In patients with psoriatic arthritis, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher, female gender, and a higher number of syndesmophytes or ankylosis were linked with metabolic syndrome, according to the study. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a BMI of 23 or higher and age 40 or older were associated with metabolic syndrome. 

Women with psoriatic arthritis were more likely to have metabolic syndrome than men with psoriatic arthritis or women with ankylosing spondylitis, the study found.  

“Patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis should be advised to maintain their BMI < 23 kg/m²,” wrote researchers from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. “In addition to traditional factors of metabolic syndrome, evidence of structural spinal change should be informed to screen for metabolic syndrome among psoriatic arthritis patients.” 

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference:

Petcharat C, Srinonprasert V, Chiowchanwisawakit P. Association between syndesmophyte and metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):367. Published 2021 Apr 20. doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04222-8