Abstract
Objective and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at risk for diabetes, which can result in a number of aftereffects and even cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality for these individuals. According to earlier studies, certain rheumatoid arthritis medications may help stop diabetes from developing. The purpose of this study was to examine additional diabetes risk factors and determine whether people on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDs) may be at varying risk for developing diabetes.
Materials & Methods: The analysis included 5530 adults without diabetes who had rheumatoid arthritis. An HbA1c score of ≥7% at follow-up was considered new-onset diabetes, which was the study's endpoint.
Result: When compared to Methotrexate monotherapy, the risk of diabetes was considerably lower during the bDMARD (HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.83), Methotrexate combination (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.78), and other cDMARD (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.84) periods. According to individual drug analysis, hydroxychloroquine decreased the incidence of diabetes (HR 0.52; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.65). Inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-α tended to be protective (HR 0.69; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.03).
Conclusion: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may have different levels of risk of diabetes depending on the treatment options.