Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in RA patients. Understanding the risk factors affecting the chance of developing metabolic syndrome can reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in RA patients.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 200 patients with RA according to ACR classification from patients referred to rheumatology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital from October 2013 to September 2013. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on two criteria of the International Diabetes Federation and the Iranian definition. Secondary outcomes The prevalence of different components of the metabolic syndrome and the association of different demographic, anthropometric, laboratory and medication variables of RA patients with the chi-square test were statistically analyzed 
Results: Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with cigarette smoking. Among the medications used in RA patients, prednisolone (glucocorticoids) and azathioprine were associated with a significantly increased chance of developing metabolic syndrome. (P˂0.05) and no significant relationship was found between metabolic syndrome and inflammatory factors CRP;or ESR, anti CCP, and RF. But the level of DRA in patients with metabolic syndrome was lower than in others. (P˂0 / 05)
Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in patients with RA. Considering the risk factors responsible for the increased risk of metabolic syndrome in this potentially high-risk population