Key clinical point: Higher disease activity and elevated levels of cytokines/chemokines are associated with a greater risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Major finding: High Disease activity Score (DAS28)-C reactive protein (CRP) was associated with an increased risk of DM (test for trend: P less than .001). Several cytokines/chemokines analyzed showed independent association with DM risk including interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and select macrophage-derived cytokines/chemokines (hazard ratio per standard deviation range, 1.11-1.26). These associations were independent of the DAS28-CRP.
Study details: This longitudinal analysis included 1,866 patients with RA without prevalent DM from Veteran’s Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry. Thirty cytokines and chemokines were measured in banked serum obtained at the time of enrolment.
Disclosures: No study sponsor was identified. The presenting author has received consulting fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead.
Source: Baker JF. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Jan 4. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-219140