Women with rheumatoid arthritis who take sex hormones through oral contraception or hormone replacement therapy are more likely to achieve remission.
- In a new study, researchers have established the link between remission of rheumatoid arthritis, reproductive status and the use of sex hormones.
- Women who took oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) were more likely to achieve remission.
- Further research is needed.
Although it is currently not possible to cure rheumatoid arthritis, medication can reduce attacks and symptoms. A new treatment option could be considered to relieve women: sex hormones.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who take oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy are more likely to achieve remission.
Rheumatoid arthritis: hormonal treatments reduce symptoms
In their study published in Rheumatology, scientists have shed light on a link between the remission of rheumatoid arthritis and the use of sex hormones after evaluating data from 4,474 patients with this chronic inflammatory joint disease. They were being treated with the anti-inflammatory drug Tocilizumab and other immunosuppressive drugs.
Analyzes showed that participants who still had a regular menstrual cycle had fewer symptoms than those in peri-menopause (irregular or infrequent periods) or post-menopause. The influence of female sex hormones on the evolution of the disease became even more evident by observing the volunteers who had hormonal treatment.
Remission rates were higher in women who took HRT or birth control pills alongside their rheumatoid arthritis medication. In addition, remission was twice as high in perimenopausal women.
THS: “the decision to use it requires a thorough discussion”
If it is still premature to say that HRT and oral contraceptives have a protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis, the study revealed a potential link, confirms Professor Michael Wiese, responsible for his work.
In addition, he recalls that hormonal treatments cannot be taken without medical advice.
“The decision to use HRT is complex”says Professor Wiese in a communicated. “It improves menopausal symptoms, but it may alter the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. This study suggests it may also benefit women with rheumatoid arthritis, but the decision to use it requires discussion thoroughly with a GP, as each woman has different risk factors.”
