TNF-α inhibitors and tocilizumab do not influence hepatic steatosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Table 1 Epidemiologic and clinical features of the 36 rheumatoid arthritis patients subdivided into 3 treatment arms n (%)

Features	MTX (n = 12)	Anti-TNF-α1± MTX (n =12)	Tocilizumab ± MTX (n =12)	P
Age (mean ± SD), yr	56 ± 8	54.5 ± 9	58 ± 6	0.500
Sex (F/M)	11/1	11/1	11/1	1.000
Disease duration (yr, median, IQR)	5 (2-30)	11 (2-30)	13 (1-30)	0.030
DAS28 (median, IQR)	3.7 (1.5-6.5)	4.85 (3.5-6.1)	5.2 (2.4-6.2)	0.200
HAQ (median, IQR)	0.8 (0-1.875)	1.125 (0.125-2.875)	1.75 (0.375-2.7)	0.040
US steatosis (grade > 1)	7 (58)	5 (42)	7 (58)	0.900
MS	2 (17)	2 (17)	1 (8)	0.500
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 110/mg per dL	2 (17)	2 (17)	1 (8)	0.500
BMI ≥ 25	6 (50)	6 (50)	6 (50)	1.000
BMI ≥ 30	3 (25)	2 (17)	1 (8)	0.500
HDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dL	2 (17)	1 (8)	0	0.300
Triglycerides > 150 mg/dL	0	3 (25)	1 (8)	0.100
Arterial hypertension	3 (25)	2 (17)	3 (25)	0.850
Corticosteroids ≥ 5 mg/d	10 (83)	11 (92)	12 (100)	0.300
MTX use	12 (100)	4 (33)	5 (42)	0.001
MTX dosage (mean ± SD)	12.5 ± 3	15 ± 9	13 ± 3	0.009
Comorbidities2	4 (33)	3 (25)	6 (50)	0.400

¹4 Etanercept; 8 Adalimumab;

²7 autoimmune thyroiditis; 2 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 4 Cardiovascular disease. Data are numbers and percentages (inbrackets) except were otherwise specified. F/M: Female/male; DAS28: Disease Activity Score 28; HAQ: Health Assessment Questionnaire; MTX: Methotrexate; BMI: Body mass index; MS: Metabolic syndrome; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IQR: Interquartile range; US: Ultrasound; HDL: High density lipoprotein.