Alcohol reduces severity of arthritis
University of Sheffield researchers have found evidence suggesting that drinking alcohol can reduce disease severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
In the British study, 873 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were compared to 1,004 people who did not have it. After filling questionnaires, completing x-rays and blood tests, those who drank alcohol most frequently had the least amount of joint pain and swelling.
Scientists urge people not to use this as an excuse to drink more.
“There is some evidence to show that alcohol suppresses the activity of the immune system, and that this may influence the pathways by which RA develops,” said Dr James Maxwell, consultant rheumatologist and lead author of the study.
“Once someone has developed RA, it’s possible that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of alcohol may play a role in reducing the severity of symptoms.”
The authors say more research is needed to ascertain the reason alcohol reduces the severity of symptoms. Previous studies have shown that alcohol may prevent the disease in the first place.
“We would not want people with RA to take this research to mean that they should go out and start drinking alcohol frequently and in large amounts as this could be detrimental to their health,” a spokeswoman for Arthritis Research UK, said.
Drinkers were kept to the recommended limit of 10 units of alcohol per week.
