Obesity Negatively Impacts QOL, Psychological Status, and Disease Activity in Patients With PsA

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and obesity experience a lower quality of life (QOL), higher disease activity, and higher risk of anxiety and depression.

Researchers aimed to evaluate the effect of obesity on QOL, psychological status, and other clinical variables in PsA in a cross-sectional study. Patients with PsA were recruited by the Turkish League Against Rheumatism-Network from various centers in Turkey. A body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater was considered obese, and differences among patient’s obesity status were assessed with health-related QOL, psychological status, and disease activity parameters.

Health-related QOL, anxiety, depression, and disease activity parameter scores were higher with obesity than in nonobese patients. Psoriasis Area Severity Index and pain scores were similar between the groups of patients with and without obesity. Patients with PsA and obesity also had higher rates of fatigue and chronic illness.

“Consequently, obesity has significant associations with higher disease activity, lower QOL, risk of anxiety, depression, and fatigue,” concluded the study authors. “Therefore, obesity should also be taken into account in the management of PsA patients,” they added.

Reference

Gok K, Nas K, Tekeoglu I, et al. Impact of obesity on quality of life, psychological status, and disease activity in psoriatic arthritis: a multi-center study. Rheumatol Int. Published online August 28, 2021. doi:10.1007/s00296-021-04971-8