Study: Efforts to Get Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients to Change Lifestyles Have Little Effect

Efforts to get rheumatoid arthritis patients to make positive lifestyle changes have little effect, according to researchers at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in Scotland.

Rheumatoid arthritis is linked to significant excess in disease and death, with cardiovascular disease being the most common cause of premature death in these patients. A patient with rheumatoid arthritis typically has their blood work, weight and history of smoking routinely assessed by their physician or clinic, with appropriate advice and treatment suggested.

Researchers developed a study to ascertain if the use of a specialist nurse, in addition to routine care, would increase the success of getting patients with rheumatoid arthritis to make lifestyle changes.

Twenty-two patients beginning treatment with sulfasalazine, an antirheumatic drug, were invited to attend an additional clinic dealing with lifestyle factors every 12 weeks over a 48 -week timeframe. Smoking, alcohol history, demographics and weight were noted for the participants. Body mass index, blood pressure, function (using a health assessment questionnaire), serum cholesterol and social deprivation were assessed and patients were advised on exercise and diet.

The study participants consisted of 20 women and 2 men, with an average age of 52 and average duration of their rheumatoid arthritis of 5 years.

Eight of the participants smoked and none stopped during the course of the study. Fifteen patients were already exercising regularly and one participant started swimming regularly during the study. Fifteen patients were obese and five of them gained even more weight during the study. Six patients had high blood pressure at the start of the study and only 1 showed any improvement in that area during the 48 weeks, the researchers reported in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers concluded that most adverse lifestyle factors had already been recognized and discussed with patients by the physician or clinic personnel. Additional advice and input only led to modest improvement.

Other sources: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases