London, United Kingdom, June 9, 2016: The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2016) showed that the likelihood of achieving sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is significantly lower in patients who smoke and who are obese. These findings suggest that encouraging patients to stop smoking and to achieve a healthy body weight could significantly improve their chance of becoming symptom-free after adequate treatment.
EULAR recommendations state that remission (absent disease activity) is the target of treatment in patients with RA. However, many patients fail to achieve or maintain remission; within ten years of onset, at least 50% of patients in developed countries are unable to maintain a full-time job.
"Despite the high prevalence of excess body weight and smoking among RA patients, relatively little is known about whether and to what extent these modifiable lifestyle factors impact the likelihood of achieving sustained remission," said study investigator Dr Susan Bartlett from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. "Our findings show that not smoking and a healthy body weight - lifestyle factors which can be modified by patients - can have a significant impact on becoming symptom-free."
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disabling disease that affects the joints, connective tissues, muscle, tendons, and fibrous tissue, causing pain and deformity. The prevalence of RA globally varies between 0.3% and 1% and is more common in women and in developed countries.3
The independent effects of Body Mass Index class (normal weight: 18.5-24.9, overweight: 25-29.9, obese: 30+) and smoking on time to sustained remission in the first three years shortly after diagnosis were estimated in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis who had been enrolled into the large real world Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) study.
1,008 patients underwent follow up for three years, with disease activity (DAS28), patient-reported outcomes and medication assessed at each visit. Among males, just under one half were overweight,
one third obese, and one fifth smoked. Among females, just under one third were overweight, one third obese, and 15% smoked.
After adjustment for age, race, baseline disability, pain, and early use of methotrexate, smoking and excess weight were shown to have significant independent and combined effects on the likelihood of achieving sustained remission in men and women. For example, taking a typical individual from this sample , a non-smoking male with a healthy BMI and these characteristics would have a 41% probability of achieving sustained remission within three years compared to only 15% for an obese male smoker. A non-smoking female with a healthy BMI and these characteristics would have a 27% probability of achieving sustained remission within three years compared to only 10% for an obese female smoker.
Abstract Number: OP0173
###
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information on this study, or to request an interview with the study lead, please do not hesitate to contact the EULAR congress
Press Office in the London Suite at ExCel London during EULAR 2016 or on:
Email: eularpressoffice@cohnwolfe.com
Onsite tel: +44 (0) 7725 915 492 / +44 (0) 7786 171 476
Twitter: @EULAR_Press
Youtube: Eular Pressoffice
About EULAR
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) is an umbrella organisation which represents scientific societies, health professional associations and organisations for people with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMD) throughout Europe.
EULAR aims to promote, stimulate and support the research, prevention, and treatment of RMD and the rehabilitation of those it affects.
EULAR underlines the importance of combating rheumatic diseases not only by medical means, but also through a wider context of care for rheumatic patients and a thorough understanding of their social and other needs. EULAR is supported in this mission by its 45 scientific member societies, 36 PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) organisations, 22 HPR (Health Professionals in Rheumatology) associations and 23 corporate members.
The EULAR Annual European Congress of Rheumatology is the foremost international medical meeting announcing the latest research on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. EULAR 2016 is expected to attract over 14,000 delegates from around 120 countries. Most if not all professions working in the vast field of RMD will be represented.
To find out more about the activities of EULAR, visit: http://www.eular.org
References
1. EULAR 2016; London: Abstract OP0173
2. Smolen JS, Breedveld FC, Burmester GR, et al. Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: 2014 update of the recommendations of an international task force. Annals of the rheumatic diseases. 2016; 75 (1): 3-15
3. Chronic diseases and Health Promotion: Chronic Rheumatic Conditions, World Health Organisation. http://www.who.int/chp/topics/rheumatic/en/. [Accessed 28 April 2016]