Assessment of cutaneous sensory and autonomic axon reflexes in rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

The presence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a joint appears to affect the sensory function of the overlying skin. This may explain the pain and sensitivity that originates other than from within the joint. Capsaicin was injected into the skin over the wrist joint and the forearm skin of 40 RA patients and 46 healthy volunteers, and blood flow in the underlying skin was measured. Capsaicin is an irritant found in chili peppers. Nicotine was also injected to determine whether there was an effect on reflex sweating. RA patients experienced increased dilation of blood vessels in the skin over the joint compared with the forearm skin and compared with the control group in response to capsaicin. The mechanism behind this is unknown. No differences were found in pain level between the RA and control groups. There was a weak association between the amount of blood vessel dilation and pain experienced in the RA group only. The sweat reflex was unaltered.

Nervous system, Autonomic, Autonomic nervous system, Axonal transport

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Rheumatoid arthritis, the contraceptive pill, and androgens

Article Abstract:

The hormonal changes caused by oral contraceptives may not be responsible for the lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among women since the 1960s. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints. The association between oral contraceptives and a lower incidence of RA in women may be caused by other factors. Women who use oral contraceptives may have high blood levels of testosterone at the time they decide on this form of birth control. An association has been found between low blood levels of androgens, or male hormones, and RA in both male and female patients. Several epidemiological factors show that androgens play an important role in the cause of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Different studies have shown an association between higher levels of testosterone and aggressive, dominating and enterprising behavior in women. Women with these personality traits may be more motivated to use oral contraceptives than those without.

Oral contraceptives, Androgens

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Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

Bacterial overgrowth may often occur in the small intestine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This phenomenon occurs in RA patients with normal stomach acid secretion, hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria. Hypochlorhydria is decreased secretion of hydrochloric acid, and achlorhydria is the absence of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. A study examined the growth of bacteria in the small intestine of 25 RA patients, 12 non-RA patients with achlorhydria and 11 healthy individuals. Eight RA patients (32%) had achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria. Bacterial overgrowth occurred in 35% of the RA patients with normal hydrochloric acid secretion, compared with none of the healthy individuals. The incidence of bacterial overgrowth was approximately the same among the RA patients with hypochlorhydria or achlorhydria and the non-RA patients with achlorhydria.

Bacterial growth, Intestine, Small, Small intestine

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