BMI changes how RA responds to treatment: obesity is linked to lower response to TNF inhibitors and now JAK inhibitors, and raises cardiovascular and thrombotic risk with JAK inhibitors. Recording weight at every visit makes it part of the treatment decision, and gives a natural opening to discuss weight management.
- Record weight and BMI at every visit.
- Factor BMI into expectations of response when starting advanced therapy.
- Offer referral for weight management as part of RA care.
- Remember obesity also inflates CRP and DAS28-CRP independently of joint inflammation.
Why it matters
Weight is a modifiable factor in treatment response that is easy to overlook.
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