Basal metabolic rate and Charlson Comorbidity Index are independent predictors of metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To prospectively analyze predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during 2years of follow-up.

Methods: We recruited 319 consecutive patients with RA who did not have MetS. MetS was defined in accordance with the modified National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III 2005 for Asian populations.