Correlation Between HbA1c and hsCRP in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Correlation Between HbA1c and hsCRP in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation, joint destruction, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are biomarkers of long-term glycemic control and systemic inflammation, respectively. While both markers are independently associated with cardiovascular risk, their interplay in RA remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HbA1c and hsCRP in RA patients and explore the potential implications for cardiovascular risk management. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 RA patients aged 1865 years. HbA1c and hsCRP levels were measured using standardized laboratory methods. Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28). Pearsons correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and hsCRP after adjusting for confounders such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and disease activity. Results: The mean age of participants was 48.7 10.2 years, with 75% being female. The mean HbA1c level was 6.2 1.1%, and the mean hsCRP level was 5.8 3.2 mg/L. A significant positive correlation was observed between HbA1c and hsCRP (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that hsCRP was independently associated with HbA1c (? = 0.38, p < 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and disease activity. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant correlation between HbA1c and hsCRP in RA patients, suggesting a potential link between chronic inflammation and impaired glycemic control. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring both glycemic and inflammatory markers in RA management to reduce the risk of CVD.