Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học General Psychiatry cung cấp cho các bạn kiến thức về ngành y đề tài: Rheumatoid cachexia: a complication of rheumatoid arthritis moves into the 21st century. | Available online http content 11 2 108 Editorial Rheumatoid cachexia a complication of rheumatoid arthritis moves into the 21st century Ronenn Roubenoff1 2 Immunology R D Biogen Idee Inc. Cambridge MA 02142 USA 2Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center Boston MA 02111 USA Corresponding author Ronenn Roubenoff Published 27 April 2009 Arthritis Research Therapy 2009 11 108 doi ar2658 This article is online at http content 11 2 108 2009 BioMed Central Ltd See related research article by Elkan et al. http content 11 2 R37 Abstract Rheumatoid cachexia loss of muscle mass and strength and concomitant increase in fat mass is very common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA . Despite great advances in the treatment of RA it appears that rheumatoid cachexia persists even after joint inflammation improves. Rheumatoid cachexia may be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and excess mortality in RA. In this issue of Arthritis Research Therapy Elkan and colleagues demonstrate a link between rheumatoid cachexia and metabolic syndrome further reinforcing the need for therapy directed beyond inflammation and at the metabolic consequences of RA. This issue of Arthritis Research Therapy includes an important article on rheumatoid cachexia by Elkan and colleagues 1 demonstrating that cachexia remains common in rheumatoid arthritis RA and is associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and hypertension which may contribute to the excess mortality of RA. Weight loss and muscle wasting are common features of untreated RA as originally described by James Paget in the 19th century 2 . However rheumatoid cachexia from the Greek meaning bad condition was not recognized as a common problem among patients with RA until relatively recently 3 . Rheumatoid cachexia refers to the loss of fat-free mass predominantly skeletal muscle that occurs in RA. Loss of
