Patients with rheumatoid arthritis two times more likely to have concurrent COPD

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European League Against RheumatismMay 26 2011

COPD prevalence twice as high in patients with RA

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are two times more likely to have concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than healthy controls -- an association which was sustained even when variables such as age, gender, smoking and obesity were controlled for, according to a study presented today at the EULAR 2011 Annual Congress.

The study of 15,766 patients with RA and 15,340 controls found that the prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in RA patients than healthy controls (8.9% vs 4.4%, p<0.001). Interestingly, the link was still significant (p<0.001) after risk factors common in both RA and COPD patients, such as smoking, obesity and socioeconomic status, were controlled for.

"We know that similar changes in core physiological processes cause symptoms in RA and COPD and we hope that the results of our study prompts new research into potential links between altered genetic and autoimmune processes in the two conditions" said Dr. Amital of the Sheba Medical Centre, Israel.

Source:

European League Against Rheumatism

Posted in: Medical Research News | Medical Condition News

Tags: Arthritis, Bone, Chronic, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Education, Genetic, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Research, Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology, Smoking

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COPD and shingles

Frank Tsu says:

May 26, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Patients who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face a greater risk of developing shingles as well.

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Tracking Symptoms

Tom Hennessy says:

May 28, 2011 at 11:26 PM

When one goes to altitude one acquires increased red blood cells. AS one goes to altitude the higher and higher rheumatoid arthritis nodules are found. In COPD there is increased red blood cells and the ONLY effective treatment is decreasing red blood cells. Iron is used in medicine to increase red blood cells. Shingles is a disease which requires iron to survive . IS? it simply the fact we add iron to all our foods which causes increased red blood cells ?
"The prevalence of rheumatoid nodules, RF, and erosive arthritis in Africa increased along an altitude gradient from sea level (Nigeria) to high-altitude regions (Uganda and Lesotho)."
"Phlebotomy decreases blood volume and viscosity, increases cardiac output and improves exercise tolerance in patients" "Improvement was dramatic"
"Wet cupping appears to be effective in the treatment of herpes zoster"

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