Alcohol Consumption Tied to Less Disease Activity With RA

There is an inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and disease activity in people with RA, according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Lars Alfredsson, PhD, and colleagues examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and disease activity, disease progression, and HRQOL in patients with RA. The analysis included 1,228 patients with newly diagnosed RA from a population-based case control study. Information regarding lifestyle factors and different exposures was collected using a standardized questionnaire, and all participants were asked to provide blood samples for genetic and serologic analyses. Nondrinkers at baseline had higher disease activity and estimated their pain as more severe versus drinkers. Similarly, nondrinkers reported higher swollen and tender joint counts, more pain and fatigue, lower global health, and lower HRQOL at 1-year follow-up. At follow-up, those who stopped drinking post-baseline reported higher disease activity, more pain, and lower HRQOL versus drinkers. There was no difference observed in disease activity at baseline between drinkers who
continued versus discontinued drinking.