RESEARCH - Remicade (infliximab) less effective for obese patients with RA

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Arthritis drug less effective for obese patients

Medscape

By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 18 - Obese adults with rheumatoid

arthritis may be less likely than thinner people to respond to some of

the newer medications for the disease, a small study suggests.

The study, of 89 arthritis patients started on infliximab (Remicade),

found obese patients improved less than leaner ones.

Of the 15 obese patients, half responded to 16 weeks of infliximab

treatment -- meaning they showed a significant reduction in their

disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28). In contrast,

three-quarters of the 66 normal-weight and overweight patients

responded, as did seven of the eight underweight patients.

Even after adjustment for baseline symptom scores, weight was still

related to the likelihood of improvement.

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Read the entire article here:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/732854

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