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Rheumatoid arthritis

Obesity impairs efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in patients with RA

Insulin resistance is closely associated with an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anti-TNF therapy reduces insulin resistance and improves insulin sensitivity in patients with severe RA. New findings have shown, however, that the efficacy of these agents in this regard is impaired by obesity.

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Acknowledgements

The studies conducted by Dr González-Gay were supported by two grants from 'Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias' PI06-0024 and PI09/007/48 (Spain) and were partially supported by RETICS Program, RD08/0075 (RIER) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) Spain.

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Correspondence to Miguel A. González-Gay.

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González-Gay, M., González-Juanatey, C. Obesity impairs efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in patients with RA. Nat Rev Rheumatol 8, 641–642 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.158

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