Patients with psoriatic arthritis followed in tertiary centers in Southern Brazil have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome

Introduction/Objective

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have a significant prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS), however studies conducted in Latin America describing comorbidities of PsA patients are still scarce. The aim of the present work was to estimate the prevalence of MS in patients attending PsA clinics in tertiary university centers in the south region of Brazil and to evaluate the achievement of the minimal disease activity criteria among those with and without MS.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted; patients were recruited in two university hospitals and data collected during a routine clinic visit. The prevalence of MS was estimated using the National Cholesterol Education Programme's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATP III). The prevalence of patients achieving the MDA criteria was compared between individuals with and without MS using Chi-square test.

Results

One hundred and five patients with PsA were evaluated, 81 in center A (Rio Grande do Sul) and 24 in center B (Paraná); 54.3% were female (N = 57), the average age was 55.7 (SD 11.6) years and the median time of diagnosis in years was 7.4 (.16–42.2). A total of 51.9% (N = 54) were diagnosed with MS., hypertension was found in 51.4% (N = 54) and obesity in 38.1% (N = 40) of the sample. There was no statistically significant association between MS and MDA.

Conclusion

Patients followed in PsA clinics in university tertiary centers in the south of Brazil have a significant prevalence of MS. This work emphasizes the importance of the screening and treatment of comorbidities in PsA.