The persistent inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can cause cardiovascular disease and accompanying morbidities. The role of rheumatoid cachexia in this process is unknown, owing in part to the lack of an accepted operational definition. In this Review, the authors provide an update on rheumatoid cachexia, which they suggest represents the 'worst of both worlds' with respect to cardiovascular outcome due to the convergence of high grade inflammation and obesity.
- Gregory D. Summers
- Giorgos S. Metsios
- George D. Kitas
