Current Arthritis News and Research » RA http://4-arthritis-info.com Regular Updates on the Many Forms of Arthritis Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Alcohol Consumption Reduces Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk http://4-arthritis-info.com/alcohol-consumption-reduces-rheumatoid-arthritis-risk/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/alcohol-consumption-reduces-rheumatoid-arthritis-risk/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:25 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=121 Two Scandinavian studies indicate that alcohol consumption decreases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by up to 50%. The studies included 2,750 people who were assessed for environmental and genetic risk factors for RA.

More than half of the participants had rheumatoid arthritis while the non-RA group were selected randomly from the general population and had a similar distribution of age, sex and residence.

The study groups completed surveys related to lifestyle, including alcohol consumption and smoking. They also had blood samples taken to test for genetic risk factors.

The results revealed that alcohol consumption was associated with a substantially reduced risk of development of rheumatoid arthritis. It also showed that the risk decreased as the amount of alcohol consumed increased.

Among the regular drinkers, the top 25% in terms of alcohol consumed were 50% less likely to develop RA. This was true for both women and men. The highest reduction in risk was in those who smoked and also had risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis.

The researchers stated that these studies reinforce the idea that lifestyle factors have a significant impact in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, and that quitting smoking is still the most importance step in reducing risk.

These studies were also compatible with previous studies that showed that alcohol consumption helps protect against the development and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.

This research was published in the June 5th issue of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Originally posted 2008-08-12 17:36:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/alcohol-consumption-reduces-rheumatoid-arthritis-risk/feed/ 1 Majority of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Suffer From Psychiatric Disorders http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:21 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/?p=505 A new study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark indicates that a majority (63%) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients also have psychiatric disorders. According to the report, 87% of these disorders are depression related. The report also says that more than half (52%) of the patients in [...] No related posts.]]> A new study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark indicates that a majority (63%) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients also have psychiatric disorders. According to the report, 87% of these disorders are depression related. The report also says that more than half (52%) of the patients in the study indicated that they had experienced stress events before the onset of their RA.

There were several other interesting findings in the report about the emotional impacts of RA:

  • Impairments in cognitive function were found more frequently in patients that were over 50 years old (39% vs. 9%)
  • One third (33%) of RA patients suffer from sleep disorders
  • Cognitive dysfunction was diagnosed in 23% of patients, with 16% of these ascribed to depression
  • The age of rheumatoid arthritis patients when they first used prednisone was significantly higher in those with depression (48 years) compared to those without (30 years)
  • Those RA patients with depression also displayed more severe symptoms as measured by X-ray, greater loss of function and pain than patients without depression. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis patients with depression received less aggressive treatment than patients without depression.

Dr Tatiana Lisitsyna from the State Institute of Rheumatology RAMS, Russian Federation, who conducted the study, said: “Psychiatric disorders are a very common comorbidity for people with RA, and they tend to be stress-related and associated with disease activity and chronic pain. Evaluating and addressing the mental health of those with RA should be a regular feature of rheumatology practice to improve quality of life and reduce the potentially distressing psychological burden of RA.”

The study included 75 RA patients, 72 of whom were women, with a median age of 52, with diagnosis based on the American College of Rheumatology definition. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in accordance with the ICD-10 (International Classification of Disease) scale, and other psychiatric and psychological scales.

The results were presented on June 12, 2009.

Originally posted 2009-06-12 12:39:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/majority-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients-suffer-psychiatric-disorders/feed/ 0 Immune System Breakthrough May Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:20 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/?p=274 Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack itself. Many treatments have been investigated that would control or suppress the body’s immune system. Anti tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs are immune system suppressants that are widely used to treat RA.

A new study conducted by researchers at the Medical Research Council’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge has resulted in a breakthrough in the understanding of how autoimmune responses can be controlled.

In a normal immune system, the body develops immune cells to recognize foreign material, like bacteria. Once encountered, the immune cells respond to eliminate the foreign material. Any rogue immune cells that would attack the body itself are destroyed during development or are regulated by special cell. A key gene in these regulatory cells is called Foxp3. Those people that either lack the Foxp3 gene or have a mutated version of the gene have dysfunctional immune regulation which can result in autoimmune diseases.

As a part of the study, scientists created a genetically engineered form of Foxp3 that can change developing immune cells into regulatory cells that have the ability to suppress immune response. They then injected the engineered gene into animals that were missing the Foxp3 gene.

Said group leader Dr. Alexander Betz: “When administered to and activated in animal models of arthritis, the modified cells inhibit or even reverse the disease process.”

The scientists are now working on determining the molecular mechanisms involved in the functioning of the Foxp3 gene and applying that to human cells. In that research they need to ensure that the human form of the gene does not negatively impact the body’s immune system.

“If Foxp3 functions as a key developmental switch in human immune cells, there is potential for a new avenue of therapy development that could transform arthritis treatment” — Dr. Betz.

The study was published in the current issue of the journal PLoS Biology.

Originally posted 2008-11-14 12:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/immune-system-breakthrough-rheumatoid-arthritis/feed/ 0 Chinese Herbal Remedy May Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:15 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/?p=572 Although recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies have led to a increased number of available treatments, quite a few of those therapies have side effects that result in some users discontinuing treatment or seeking complementary and alternative medicines.

A recently published study shows that the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also [...] No related posts.]]> triptwillvAlthough recent advancements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies have led to a increased number of available treatments, quite a few of those therapies have side effects that result in some users discontinuing treatment or seeking complementary and alternative medicines.

A recently published study shows that the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF), also known as “lei gong teng” or “thunder god vine,” improved joint tenderness and pain in a small sampling of people treated with the medicinal plant.

The report says that people who took an extract of the herb’s roots for 6 months experienced significant improvement in RA symptoms compared to those who took the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine.

Thunder God Vine

Scientists say that thunder god vine has been used for centuries in China to treat an assortment of inflammatory diseases, and a few small clinical trials have suggested that the thunder god vine may benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine,

To perform the analysis, 121 people with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to take 60 milligrams of TwHF 3 times a day or 1 gram of sulfasalazine twice a day for 24 weeks.

Dr. Christine Laine, an internist who edited the study, said

“It is too early to say whether or not the study defines a specific role for the therapy. The finding brings forward convincing evidence that thunder god vine has an effect similar to that of sulfasalazine.”

However, the thunder god vine may also cause unwanted side effects, and has the potential to significantly reduce male sperm.

Sixty-two patients dropped out before prior to completing the study. But after 24 weeks of treatment, researchers found 67% of the people taking TwHF experienced at least 20% improvement on a standard measure of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than the other group.

Researcher Raphaela Goldbach-Mansky, MD, MHS, of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues say the study was not long enough to demonstrate if thunder god vine also helped to hinder the progression of joint destruction from RA. But if additional studies confirm these results in larger numbers of people, thunder god vine may provide an affordable natural treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.

Originally posted 2009-08-18 20:34:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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]]> http://4-arthritis-info.com/chinese-herbal-remedy-ease-rheumatoid/feed/ 1 Vegan Diet May Protect RA Patients from Heart Attack, Stroke http://4-arthritis-info.com/vegan-diet-may-protect-ra-patients-from-heart-attack-stroke/ http://4-arthritis-info.com/vegan-diet-may-protect-ra-patients-from-heart-attack-stroke/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:47:13 +0000 awesome http://4-arthritis-info.com/wp/2008/03/24/vegan-diet-may-protect-ra-patients-from-heart-attack-stroke/ What we eat is known to affect overall health and the functioning of the body’s systems. Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, has a positive impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. But until recently, there has only been anecdotal evidence of changes in diet resulting in RA symptom improvement.

[...] No related posts.]]> What we eat is known to affect overall health and the functioning of the body’s systems. Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil, has a positive impact on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. But until recently, there has only been anecdotal evidence of changes in diet resulting in RA symptom improvement.

In addition, rheumatoid arthritis is a significant risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Over 30% of deaths of people with RA are directly attributable to cardiovascular events.

A recent study published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy found that a gluten-free vegan diet lowered low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidizedLDL (OxLDL) cholesterol, as well as raised the level of natural antibodies that fight the compounds that cause the symptoms of chronic RA.

The study, led by Professor Johan Frostegard of the Rheumatology Unit and Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, involved 66 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups – 38 who ate a gluten-free vegan diet, and 28 who ate a well balanced but non-vegan diet for a year. The vegan diet was structured so that protein accounted for 10% of daily energy intake, carbohydrate 60% and fat for 30%.

The researchers analyzed the blood levels of fatty, lipid molecules, cholesterol levels and other factors at the beginning, of the study, at 3 months and at 1 year.

Prof. Frostegard’s team found that the gluten-free vegan diet reduced LDL and OxLDL levels and raised beneficial antibodies. Those consuming the gluten-free vegan diet also had a lowered body-mass index. The other fatty molecules, including high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides remained the same. This group also experienced a modest improvement in the number of swollen joints and a reduction in inflammation.

The control group showed no significant differences in these blood compounds or their RA symptoms.

Prof. Fostegard did acknowledge that this study group was not large enough to draw definite conclusions and that a larger study would need to be undertaken.

There are also additional complications with a diet related study. Getting patients to agree to change their diets for a long period of time is very difficult. Also, it is not possible to conduct a “blinded” trial since the participants know which type of diet they are following.

Originally posted 2008-03-24 16:40:20. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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