OBJECTIVES: Smokers have an increased incidence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and one report has also indicated that smoking may also adversely influence the severity of RA. METHODS: Sixty-three women with advanced RA answered a structured questionnaire that included detailed information about their smoking history. The women were also evaluated clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: Heavy smoking (>/= 20 pack-yr) was associated with rheumatoid nodules (P: = 0.01), a higher HAQ score (P: = 0.002) and a lower grip strength (P: = 0.01). Smoking was also associated with more radiological joint damage (P: = 0.02). A positive correlation was observed between smoking and RF levels, in particular IgA RF and a combined elevation of IgM and IgA RF. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking has an adverse effect on disease progression in patients with RA. An association was also observed between smoking and those RF types that predispose to RA and have the highest diagnostic specificity for this disease.
OBJECTIVES: Smokers have an increased incidence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and one report has also indicated that smoking may also adversely influence the severity of RA. METHODS: Sixty-three women with advanced RA answered a structured questionnaire that included detailed information about their smoking history. The women were also evaluated clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: Heavy smoking (>/= 20 pack-yr) was associated with rheumatoid nodules (P: = 0.01), a higher HAQ score (P: = 0.002) and a lower grip strength (P: = 0.01). Smoking was also associated with more radiological joint damage (P: = 0.02). A positive correlation was observed between smoking and RF levels, in particular IgA RF and a combined elevation of IgM and IgA RF. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking has an adverse effect on disease progression in patients with RA. An association was also observed between smoking and those RF types that predispose to RA and have the highest diagnostic specificity for this disease.
Authors: Milena A Gianfrancesco; Laura Trupin; Stephen Shiboski; Mark van der Laan; Jonathan Graf; John Imboden; Jinoos Yazdany; Gabriela Schmajuk Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 2018-12-01 Impact factor: 4.666
Authors: Joshua F Baker; Grant W Cannon; Said Ibrahim; Candace Haroldsen; Liron Caplan; Ted R Mikuls Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 4.666
Authors: Anna Engler; Fabienne Niederer; Kerstin Klein; Renate E Gay; Diego Kyburz; Giovanni G Camici; Steffen Gay; Caroline Ospelt Journal: J Mol Med (Berl) Date: 2014-03-19 Impact factor: 4.599
Authors: Bing Lu; Young Hee Rho; Jing Cui; Christine K Iannaccone; Michelle L Frits; Elizabeth W Karlson; Nancy A Shadick Journal: J Rheumatol Date: 2013-12-01 Impact factor: 4.666