Luann Dallojacono

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

Other researchers have suggested a link between gout and metabolic syndrome, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has been unclear, said Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. Of those, 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All of the subjects were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was about 63% in the 233 individuals with gout and 25% in the 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were considerably higher in adults with gout than they were in those without gout. For one, the prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without gout. The association between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection between metabolic syndrome and gout. The high insulin levels associated with insulin resistance are known to cause hyperuricemia, which enhances crystal deposition, thereby leading to symptomatic gout. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% in individuals with gout and 18% in those without, according to the authors.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% in participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% in participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years, indicating that adults with gout are at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The data also suggest that this risk is greater in older adults with gout than in younger adults with gout. Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

Individuals with gout also may be at higher risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, noted the researchers. The two diseases are known complications associated with metabolic syndrome. The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

Other researchers have suggested a link between gout and metabolic syndrome, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has been unclear, said Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. Of those, 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All of the subjects were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was about 63% in the 233 individuals with gout and 25% in the 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were considerably higher in adults with gout than they were in those without gout. For one, the prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without gout. The association between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection between metabolic syndrome and gout. The high insulin levels associated with insulin resistance are known to cause hyperuricemia, which enhances crystal deposition, thereby leading to symptomatic gout. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% in individuals with gout and 18% in those without, according to the authors.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% in participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% in participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years, indicating that adults with gout are at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The data also suggest that this risk is greater in older adults with gout than in younger adults with gout. Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

Individuals with gout also may be at higher risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, noted the researchers. The two diseases are known complications associated with metabolic syndrome. The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

Other researchers have suggested a link between gout and metabolic syndrome, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has been unclear, said Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. Of those, 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All of the subjects were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was about 63% in the 233 individuals with gout and 25% in the 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were considerably higher in adults with gout than they were in those without gout. For one, the prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without gout. The association between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection between metabolic syndrome and gout. The high insulin levels associated with insulin resistance are known to cause hyperuricemia, which enhances crystal deposition, thereby leading to symptomatic gout. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% in individuals with gout and 18% in those without, according to the authors.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% in participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% in participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years, indicating that adults with gout are at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The data also suggest that this risk is greater in older adults with gout than in younger adults with gout. Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

Individuals with gout also may be at higher risk for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, noted the researchers. The two diseases are known complications associated with metabolic syndrome. The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited increased body fat for a given body mass index when compared with healthy controls in a recent study. This suggests that standard BMI cut-off points in those patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be reduced to more accurately reflect risk for cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Antonios Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou of the University of Wolverhampton's Research Institute in Healthcare Science, England, and his associates.

BMI does not distinguish between fat and lean body mass when it uses height and weight to measure body mass. As a result, individuals with the same height and weight, but different muscle content, may have the same BMI but different levels of body fat. This shortcoming should be taken into consideration when determining risk for cardiovascular disease, especially with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, who often experience involuntary loss of lean body mass and an increase of fat mass, according to the researchers (Ann Rheum Dis. 2007 Feb. 8 [Epub doi:10.1136/ ard.2006.060319]).

The study included 299 individuals: 174 with RA, 43 with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, and 82 healthy, medication-free controls by self-report. Body fat was assessed in all participants by bioelectrical impedance using a body analyzer. BMI was calculated based on measured height and weight.

Body fat and BMI differed significantly between those with RA and healthy controls, judging from analyses of covariance findings. For a given BMI, patients with RA showed significantly increased levels of body fat percentage compared with the healthy participants. Patients with RA also showed BMI levels reduced by 1.83 kg/m

The study also found that when the widely accepted BMI cut-offs of 25 kg/m

These misclassifications were corrected when the proposed rheumatoid arthritis-specific BMI cut-offs of 23 kg/m

However, body fat percentage is a better way to assess fat measurement and risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the investigators. They developed a predictive model as part of the study to calculate body fat of RA patients without relying on the sophisticated equipment often needed to measure body fat.

The model, which uses BMI, age, gender, and disease status to determine body fat, was validated using Limits of Agreement Analysis against measured body fat in a group of 342 patients with RA. In that validation group, the model predicted body fat to be 0.4% higher than actual levels, but results were within suitable limits and the cross-validation was “reassuring,” according to the investigators.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited increased body fat for a given body mass index when compared with healthy controls in a recent study. This suggests that standard BMI cut-off points in those patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be reduced to more accurately reflect risk for cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Antonios Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou of the University of Wolverhampton's Research Institute in Healthcare Science, England, and his associates.

BMI does not distinguish between fat and lean body mass when it uses height and weight to measure body mass. As a result, individuals with the same height and weight, but different muscle content, may have the same BMI but different levels of body fat. This shortcoming should be taken into consideration when determining risk for cardiovascular disease, especially with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, who often experience involuntary loss of lean body mass and an increase of fat mass, according to the researchers (Ann Rheum Dis. 2007 Feb. 8 [Epub doi:10.1136/ ard.2006.060319]).

The study included 299 individuals: 174 with RA, 43 with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, and 82 healthy, medication-free controls by self-report. Body fat was assessed in all participants by bioelectrical impedance using a body analyzer. BMI was calculated based on measured height and weight.

Body fat and BMI differed significantly between those with RA and healthy controls, judging from analyses of covariance findings. For a given BMI, patients with RA showed significantly increased levels of body fat percentage compared with the healthy participants. Patients with RA also showed BMI levels reduced by 1.83 kg/m

The study also found that when the widely accepted BMI cut-offs of 25 kg/m

These misclassifications were corrected when the proposed rheumatoid arthritis-specific BMI cut-offs of 23 kg/m

However, body fat percentage is a better way to assess fat measurement and risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the investigators. They developed a predictive model as part of the study to calculate body fat of RA patients without relying on the sophisticated equipment often needed to measure body fat.

The model, which uses BMI, age, gender, and disease status to determine body fat, was validated using Limits of Agreement Analysis against measured body fat in a group of 342 patients with RA. In that validation group, the model predicted body fat to be 0.4% higher than actual levels, but results were within suitable limits and the cross-validation was “reassuring,” according to the investigators.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited increased body fat for a given body mass index when compared with healthy controls in a recent study. This suggests that standard BMI cut-off points in those patients with rheumatoid arthritis should be reduced to more accurately reflect risk for cardiovascular disease, according to Dr. Antonios Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou of the University of Wolverhampton's Research Institute in Healthcare Science, England, and his associates.

BMI does not distinguish between fat and lean body mass when it uses height and weight to measure body mass. As a result, individuals with the same height and weight, but different muscle content, may have the same BMI but different levels of body fat. This shortcoming should be taken into consideration when determining risk for cardiovascular disease, especially with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, who often experience involuntary loss of lean body mass and an increase of fat mass, according to the researchers (Ann Rheum Dis. 2007 Feb. 8 [Epub doi:10.1136/ ard.2006.060319]).

The study included 299 individuals: 174 with RA, 43 with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, and 82 healthy, medication-free controls by self-report. Body fat was assessed in all participants by bioelectrical impedance using a body analyzer. BMI was calculated based on measured height and weight.

Body fat and BMI differed significantly between those with RA and healthy controls, judging from analyses of covariance findings. For a given BMI, patients with RA showed significantly increased levels of body fat percentage compared with the healthy participants. Patients with RA also showed BMI levels reduced by 1.83 kg/m

The study also found that when the widely accepted BMI cut-offs of 25 kg/m

These misclassifications were corrected when the proposed rheumatoid arthritis-specific BMI cut-offs of 23 kg/m

However, body fat percentage is a better way to assess fat measurement and risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the investigators. They developed a predictive model as part of the study to calculate body fat of RA patients without relying on the sophisticated equipment often needed to measure body fat.

The model, which uses BMI, age, gender, and disease status to determine body fat, was validated using Limits of Agreement Analysis against measured body fat in a group of 342 patients with RA. In that validation group, the model predicted body fat to be 0.4% higher than actual levels, but results were within suitable limits and the cross-validation was “reassuring,” according to the investigators.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

A link between gout and metabolic syndrome has been suggested by other investigators, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has remained unclear, according to study investigators Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. A total of 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All individuals were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was approximately 63% among the 233 individuals with gout and 25% among 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were higher among adults with gout. The prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without. The link between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% among individuals with gout and 18% among those without, according to the analysis by Dr. Choi and his associates.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% among participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% among participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

A link between gout and metabolic syndrome has been suggested by other investigators, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has remained unclear, according to study investigators Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. A total of 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All individuals were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was approximately 63% among the 233 individuals with gout and 25% among 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were higher among adults with gout. The prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without. The link between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% among individuals with gout and 18% among those without, according to the analysis by Dr. Choi and his associates.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% among participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% among participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome may be nearly three times higher among individuals with gout, compared with unaffected individuals, judging from results of a recent data analysis.

A link between gout and metabolic syndrome has been suggested by other investigators, but the degree of the overlap between the two conditions has remained unclear, according to study investigators Dr. Hyon K. Choi of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and his associates.

A total of 8,807 individuals aged 20 years or older participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-III) from 1988 to 1994. A total of 233 had gout, according to self-report (mean age of 58 years). All individuals were assessed for metabolic syndrome; the condition was deemed to be present if an individual had at least three of the following five metabolic abnormalities: abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was approximately 63% among the 233 individuals with gout and 25% among 8,574 individuals without gout. The prevalence rates of each of the five metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome were higher among adults with gout. The prevalence of high blood pressure in individuals with gout (69%) was more than double the prevalence of those without. The link between metabolic abnormalities and gout was evident across subgroups of major associated gout risk factors including body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes, the investigators reported (Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57:109–15).

The interplay between hyperuricemia and high insulin levels caused by insulin resistance may explain the connection. Prevalence of hyperuricemia was 49% among individuals with gout and 18% among those without, according to the analysis by Dr. Choi and his associates.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased from 27% among participants with gout aged 20–39 years to 72% among participants aged 40–59. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among individuals without gout increased from only 12% in adults aged 20–39 years to 31% in those aged 40–59 years Prevalence for metabolic syndrome in adults over age 60 years with gout (71%) was more substantial than in those without gout (49%).

The study was funded by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. and Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Choi reported receiving consulting fees from both companies.