Smoking, lung function, and rheumatoid factors

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic disease which can affect the lungs. Rheumatoid lung disease occurs in both smokers and nonsmokers, but is likely to be worsened by smoking. Rheumatoid factors (RFs) are a group of molecules produced by white blood cells following several types of stimulation. Thus, RFs in blood may follow infection or immunization, may occur during the course of rheumatoid diseases like RA, or may sometimes precede development of RA. On the other hand, many people may have RFs in blood but never develop RA, and so the relation between RFs and the disease process is unclear. The association between blood levels of RFs, smoking, and development of RA was evaluated in 7,124 Finnish subjects to determine if smoking is a risk factor for RA, as reflected by RF levels. Subjects who were current or former smokers were up to twice as likely to have significant blood RF levels. The highest RF levels were significantly more prevalent in current than ex-smokers. Women with diminished lung function but no RA had significantly increased RF levels independent of smoking history, but whether this indicates underlying rheumatoid lung disease is uncertain. No such relationship between lung function and RF levels was found in men. The study suggests that there is a relationship between smoking and blood RF levels, but further study is needed to determine whether elevated RF levels in smokers predate the development of RA. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Finland, Measurement, Risk factors, Physiological aspects, Tobacco, Rheumatoid factor

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Mortality in rheumatoid arthritis patients with disease onset in the 1980s

Article Abstract:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) does not appear to increase the risk of death. Researchers studied 183 RA patients who first developed the autoimmune, inflammatory joint disease in the 1980's. By 1997, 18 patients had died, but none primarily due to RA. The rate of death in this group of Swedish patients was no higher than would be expected in the general population.

Sweden

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Reduced incidence of alcohol related deaths in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis

Article Abstract:

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are much less likely to die from an alcohol-related disease or accident, according to a Finnish study of 1,666 RA patients. It is not clear if alcohol protects against RA or if RA patients cut back on alcohol after their diagnosis.

Health aspects, Drinking of alcoholic beverages, Drinking (Alcoholic beverages)

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