[Adipocytokines in rheumatoid arthritis and obesity].

In obese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients inflammatory mechanisms and cardiovascular secondary disorders are possibly related to changed expression of adipocytokines. Various adipocytokines and inflammatory parameters were examined in 112 patients (23.2% men; 76.8% women) suffering from RA: leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, sCD40 L, CRP, and ESR. Average BMI was 27.6 (+/-5.6). Leptin and BMI as well as visfatin and BMI correlated positively, BMI and adiponectin, however, showed a negative correlation. Significant differences between normal-weight and obese RA patients were found in both leptin and adiponectin measurements. Visfatin showed a positive correlation with CRP; sCD40 ligand which is a marker for increased T-cell activity correlated with CRP and ESR. Patients with low adiponectin levels (<10 microg/ml) more often suffered from cardiovascular diseases (28.6%) than those with enhanced adiponectin (14.3%). Increased pro-inflammatory leptin and decreased anti-inflammatory adiponectin in obese RA patients can be associated with RA activity and enhanced cardiovascular risk.