Smoking 'affects arthritis treatment'
Thursday 6th January 2011
Those with early rheumatoid arthritis who smoke are less likely to respond well to treatment, according to a new study.
Research published in journal Arthritis & Rheumatism claims that the two drugs most commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis - an antirheumatic treatment called methotrexate and biologic drugs TNF blockers - are less effective on those who smoke.
It is not yet known exactly how smoking affects responses to these treatments although some experts suggest that smokers may metabolise these medications differently to others.
This comes after news that medical professionals should treat arthritis soon after it is diagnosed if the outcome is to be positive.
Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that those who were assessed and treated soon after symptoms appeared were found to have less joint destruction and a better chance of DMARD-free disease remission.
Written by Megan Smith
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