June 12, 2008 – Two Scandinavian studies come to the same conclusion: moderate alcohol consumption could decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and smoking would have the opposite effect.
Swedish researchers analyzed data from two clinical trials conducted in Sweden and Denmark. A total of 1,648 people with rheumatoid arthritis and 1,404 people without rheumatoid arthritis responded to a lifestyle questionnaire and provided a blood sample.
According to the results, subjects who consumed the equivalent of five or more glasses of wine per week had a 40% to 50% lower risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to subjects who drank the least alcohol.
This protective effect was more pronounced in smokers, smoking being a risk factor for the disease. Indeed, a link between tobacco and rheumatoid arthritis, in those who consumed little or no alcohol, was observed in both studies.
Quitting smoking is the best way to decrease the risk of suffering from this disease, say the authors of the study.
If they consider that moderate drinkers should not reduce their alcohol consumption, the researchers point out that excessive consumption has harmful effects on health.
Rheumatoid arthritis can start at any age, but the first symptoms usually appear between the ages of 40 and 60.
Charles Désy – PasseportSanté.net
According to BBC and Reuters Health.
1. Källberg H, Jacobsen S, et al. Alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of rheumatoid arthritis; Results from two Scandinavian case-control studies, Ann Rheum Dis, June 5, 2008.
