Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is higher among patients with
The correlation between MetS and PsA have been well known for years, with abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia tied closely to both conditions. Although the pathophysiology of this link is still unknown, studies have not only emphasized this connection but also highlighted an association between PsA and the frequency of several of MetS’s components.2
“An association between PsA and MetS has been suggested, with several studies examining the prevalence in PsA compared to other groups with somewhat diverging results,” Sara Andreasson, department of public health and clinical medicine, Umeå University, Sweden, and colleagues wrote. “The aim of this meta-analysis is to compile current knowledge on the prevalence of MetS and its individual conditions in PsA compared to the general population, PsO, and other inflammatory arthropathies.”1
An initial total of 1526 articles were selected for screening by 2 independent researchers, who then sorted them based on relevance. Articles without original data, studies conducted in children, and articles with a patient sample collected via a dermatology clinic were excluded, among others. The remaining articles were then read in full, with those investigating the prevalence of MetS in patients with PsA compared to a control population included.1
Investigators ultimately narrowed the search down to 20 studies. Of these, 7 studies examined the prevalence of MetS in PsA compared to the general population, 8 studies examined its prevalence in PsA compared to
When compared to the general population, all but 1 of the 7 studies reported statistically significant increases in the prevalence of MetS in PsA. 6 of the 8 studies comparing PsA to RA noted a statistically significant increase in MetS prevalence in PsA. 2 of the 3 studies comparing PsA to AS showed a statistically significant increase. 4 of the 7 studies comparing PsA to PsO showed no statistically significant difference. Heterogeneity was low in the general population group, moderate in the RA group, and high in the AS and PsO groups. Homogeneity was statistically significant in the population group, the AS group and the PsO group, but not significant in the RA group.1
The analysis comparing PsA to the general population indicated a 2.5-fold increased risk of MetS in PsA, while the RA comparison saw a 1.9-fold increase. The PsO comparison showed no significant difference in MetS prevalence. The AS comparison saw no firm conclusion, as this cohort included only 3 studies.1
Ultimately, investigators believe a correlation exists between PsA and increased MetS prevalence. Many of the included studies showed the correlation as associated with disease and inflammatory activity, suggesting a common underlying pathophysiology between the 2 conditions.1
“It is therefore important to monitor and treat cardiovascular risk factors in these patients, while ensuring that patients achieve minimal disease activity,” Andreasson and colleagues wrote. “The impact of disease activity, inflammation, and antirheumatic drugs on the prevalence of MetS in PsA is incompletely understood, and more research is needed in this area on how to best manage the cardiovascular risk in these patients.”1
References
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Andreasson, S., Södergren, A. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in psoriatic arthritis compared with general population, cutaneous psoriasis, and other inflammatory arthropathies: a meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-025-07637-z -
Aljohani R. Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Psoriatic Arthritis. Open Access Rheumatol. 2022;14:7-16. Published 2022 Feb 17.
doi:10.2147/OARRR.S347797