The association between metabolic syndrome severity and frailty risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors' conclusion
We identified a significant association between MetS severity and frailty risk in patients with RA. As MetS severity increased, the risk of frailty was higher among alcohol drinkers compared to non-drinkers.
Study context
- Population
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2018)442 frail (52.05%)
- Participants
- 802 patients
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower metabolic syndrome (MetS) severity
- Outcome
- Frailty
Methodological detailsweighted multivariable logistic regression, restricted cubic spline analysis, subgroup, interaction and sensitivity analyses
- Weighted multivariable logistic regression
- Restricted cubic spline analysis
- Subgroup, interaction and sensitivity analyses
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Frailty risk with higher MetS severity
Frailty risk per higher MetS severity, aOR
1.26
95% CI 1.09–1.46p = 0.003
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Non-linear relationship between MetS severity and frailty
- Non-linearity (p for overall < 0.001; p for non-linear < 0.001); inflection point
- 0.089
- MetS z-score ≥ 0.089, aOR
- 1.68 (95% CI 1.30-2.17; p < 0.001)
- MetS z-score < 0.089: no significant association (p > 0.05)
Frailty risk with MetS severity by alcohol drinking (subgroup)
- Alcohol drinkers, aOR
- 1.43 (95% CI 1.19-1.71; p < 0.001)
- Non-drinkers, aOR
- 0.97 (95% CI 0.73-1.29; p = 0.085)
Sensitivity analysis
- Confirmed robustness of the association
Original publication
The association between metabolic syndrome severity and frailty risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 10 July 2025. doi:10.
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