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BMI changes, glucocorticoid exposure improve AAV disease activity
Among patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, changes in BMI and glucocorticoid exposure were linked to improvements in disease activity, according to a published analysis.
John H. Stone, MD, MPH, director of clinical rheumatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues assessed 197 patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) who participated in the RAVE trial.
Patients diagnosed with AAV had a lower mean BMI vs. those with relapsing disease (28 kg/m2 vs. 29.6 kg/m2), as well as greater disease activity in terms of Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener’s granulomatosis (8.7 vs. 7.4). The most significant BMI change occurred within the first 6 months. In addition, disease activity improvement, glucocorticoid exposure and randomization to rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech/Biogen Idec) were each linked to increased BMI.
“Improving our understanding of the complex factors mediating the relationship between glucocorticoid exposure and BMI variation is crucial to identifying and defining the significance and potential hazards of weight gain in the treatment of inflammatory conditions,” the researchers wrote. – by Will A. Offit
Disclosures: Stone reports receiving a grant from the National Institute of Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Please see the study for the other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.