Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis
Smokers and rheumatoid arthritis
Interestingly, studies of people with rheumatoid arthritis have shown that smokers are more likely to be positive for rheumatoid factor. Moreover, a study published in 2000 has shown that people with RA who smoked for longer had higher levels of rheumatoid factor in their blood than those who didn’t. This usually indicates more severe rheumatoid arthritis. The study also showed that people who smoked for more than 20 years were found to have more severe disease in terms of damage shown on X-rays, but not necessarily more active disease in terms of tender, painful joints.
Smokers without rheumatoid arthritis
A Finnish study of healthy people without rheumatoid arthritis also found that those who smoked were much more likely to have raised rheumatoid factor than those who didn’t smoke. These findings may show that smoking makes it more likely for people to get rheumatoid arthritis by inducing the rheumatoid factor. The people in the study are being followed up to see if they go on to develop RA.
Risk for smokers
So, while the exact nature of the mechanism linking smoking to rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, there is no doubt that a link does exist. Recent research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific meeting in 2000 indicates that the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is nearly double for a woman who currently smokes, compared with a woman who is a non-smoker. The risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is lower for former smokers compared with current smokers, but higher than for people who have never smoked.
Interestingly, studies of people with rheumatoid arthritis have shown that smokers are more likely to be positive for rheumatoid factor. Moreover, a study published in 2000 has shown that people with RA who smoked for longer had higher levels of rheumatoid factor in their blood than those who didn’t. This usually indicates more severe rheumatoid arthritis. The study also showed that people who smoked for more than 20 years were found to have more severe disease in terms of damage shown on X-rays, but not necessarily more active disease in terms of tender, painful joints.
Smokers without rheumatoid arthritis
A Finnish study of healthy people without rheumatoid arthritis also found that those who smoked were much more likely to have raised rheumatoid factor than those who didn’t smoke. These findings may show that smoking makes it more likely for people to get rheumatoid arthritis by inducing the rheumatoid factor. The people in the study are being followed up to see if they go on to develop RA.
Risk for smokers
So, while the exact nature of the mechanism linking smoking to rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, there is no doubt that a link does exist. Recent research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific meeting in 2000 indicates that the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is nearly double for a woman who currently smokes, compared with a woman who is a non-smoker. The risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is lower for former smokers compared with current smokers, but higher than for people who have never smoked.
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