Association of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Diabetic Comorbidity: Correlating Accelerated Insulin Resistance to Inflammatory Responses in Patients

Figures & data

Figure 1 Processes applied to determine insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance.

Notes: Data from Nicolau et al.¹²⁷

Figure 2 Commonality between pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis and insulin resistance.

Notes: Adapted from Wasko MC, Kay J, Hsia EC, Rahman MU. Diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: risk reduction in a chronic inflammatory disease. © 2011 the American College of Rheumatology.¹⁵

Abbreviations: TNF, tumor necrosis factor; IL, interleukin.

Table 1 Effect of RA Medication on Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

Name of Drug	Insulin Resistance	HbA1c	Diabetes Risk	Insulin Sensitivity	References
Glucocorticoid	↑	↑	↑	↓	^Citation60,Citation61,Citation64,Citation100,Citation101
Hydroxychloroquine	–	↓↓	↓	↑	^Citation95,Citation96,Citation98,Citation102
Methotrexate	↓	↓	–	↑	^Citation96,Citation98,Citation103
TNF antagonists	↓	↓	↓	↑	^Citation15,Citation78,Citation104
Interleukin-1β antagonist	↑	↓	↓	-	^Citation83,Citation105
Interleukin-6 antagonist	↓	↓	↓	-	^Citation106

Note: Arrows significant the association of drug with insulin resistance, HbA1c, diabetes risk, insulin sensitivity.

Abbreviations: ↑, increase; ↓, decrease; ↓↓, larger decrease; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin.

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