RESEARCH - Smoking is a predictor of RA and may negatively impact efficacy of anti-TNF biologics

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Cigarette Smoking Is A Predictor Of RA And May Negatively Impact On

Efficacy Of Anti-TNFs

MedicalNewsTody.com

Article Date: 18 Jun 2010 - 2:00 PDT

Smoking cigarettes is a significant risk factor for developing

rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may have a negative impact on the

effectiveness of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) inhibitors in

RA patients taking these treatments, according to results of two

studies presented at EULAR 2010, the Annual Congress of the European

League Against Rheumatism in Rome, Italy. A further study has shown

that smoking interferes with the expression of several genes which,

when over-expressed can contribute to processes which exacerbate

disease activity.

Results of a Swedish study1 showed that for both men and women,

smoking at the time of study initiation was shown to be a predictor

for future diagnosis with RA (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.55 95% CI 1.20-2.01).

Socio-economic status also had an impact on the risk of developing RA

with " Blue-collar workers " (those who do manual labour and earn an

hourly wage) having an increased risk compared with white-collar

workers (salaried professionals or educated workers) (OR 1.41: CI

1.02-1.94).

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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/192179.php

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