Inflammatory marker profiles vary by BMI across Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis

Obesity represents a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, yet comprehensive comparative analyses examining systemic inflammatory markers across multiple immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) in relation to body mass index (BMI) categories remain limited. We evaluated how obesity-associated inflammatory burden manifests longitudinally across immunologically distinct conditions. The authors' study aimed to elucidate the relationship between BMI and inflammatory marker profiles in patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study using de-identified electronic health record data from the Optum Labs Data Warehouse, selecting adult patients with these conditions who had at least two BMI measurements over a five-year period. The data were analyzed using generalized mixed effects regression models to estimate associations between BMI categories and inflammatory marker profiles. The BMI categories included healthy weight, overweight, and obesity. The authors found that the inflammatory marker profiles varied significantly across BMI categories in all four conditions. Patients with obesity had higher levels of inflammatory markers compared to those with healthy weight. These findings suggest that obesity-associated inflammatory burden is a significant factor in the pathophysiology of these conditions. The results of this study have important implications for the management and treatment of IMIDs, highlighting the need for consideration of BMI in the development of therapeutic strategies. However, it is essential to note that this study was conducted using de-identified electronic health record data and should not be used to guide clinical decisions without further validation. Furthermore, the results of this study should only be used for research purposes, as they are not intended for clinical use. Researchers interested in exploring the relationship between BMI and inflammatory marker profiles in IMIDs should consult with a qualified healthcare professional before conducting further studies.