Relation of Resistin, Visfatin, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance in Egyptian Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Introduction Adipocytokines are hormones secreted by adipose tissue, playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of the immune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective We investigated the changes in resistin, visfatin, and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their relationships to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Research design and methodology We studied 140 subjects: 70 with RA, 41 patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), 29 without MetS, and 70 controls. We compared levels of resistin, visfatin, and CIMT among the three groups. Results There was an increase in the means of all parameters of MetS. Visfatin and CIMT increased in cases compared to the control group. There was an add-on effect of MetS on RA. Conclusions Resistin, visfatin, and CIMT can be used as markers of both immune and metabolic activity in cases of RA.