Elevated Plasma Monounsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Associations with Disease Activity, Adiposity, and Sex in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by metabolic dysregulation, including altered lipid metabolism. While polyunsaturated fatty acids have been studied, the plasma levels, endogenous synthesis, and relevance of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in RA remain unclear. This study examined plasma MUFA levels in RA and their associations with disease activity, adiposity, and intake.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 59 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 33 non-RA controls frequency-matched on age, sex, and BMI were recruited between 2017 and 2022. Clinical assessments included disease activity (DAS28), body composition, and metabolic parameters. Dietary intake was assessed using a 4-day food journal, and plasma fatty acids were quantified by gas chromatography in 82 participants with available samples. The stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) index was used as a proxy for endogenous MUFA synthesis. Associations between MUFAs and clinical variables were evaluated using univariate and multivariable regression (p<0.05).

RESULTS

RA participants had higher waist-to-hip ratio, fat mass, fasting triglycerides, and lower physical activity than controls. Plasma palmitoleic and oleic acids and the SCD-1 index were higher in RA, whereas linoleic and arachidonic acids were lower. Saturated and omega-3 fatty acids were similar. Higher oleic and gondoic acids were independently associated with greater disease activity; oleic acid was linked to central adiposity, and palmitoleic acid was higher in women, suggesting sex- and adiposityspecific regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher plasma MUFAs in RA are associated with disease activity, adiposity, and sex, highlighting altered MUFA metabolism as a feature of RA and a potential target for metabolic intervention.