Drinking alcohol could ‘reduce the severity’ of RA

New research suggests drinking alcohol could reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study which was co-funded by Arthritis Research UK also suggests that drinking alcohol could reduce the risk of developing the disease.

The study, published online in the Journal of Rheumatology, looked at 873 patients with RA and 1,004 people without the condition. The two groups were asked about their monthly alcohol consumption. They completed a detailed questionnaire, had X-rays and blood tests and a research nurse examined their joints.

Dr James Maxwell, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Sheffield, said: ‘We found that patients who had drunk alcohol most frequently had symptoms that were less severe than those who had never drunk alcohol or only drunk infrequently.

‘X-rays showed there was less damage to their joints, blood tests showed lower levels of inflammation, and there was less joint pain, swelling and disability.

‘There is some evidence to show that alcohol suppresses the activity of the immune system, and that this may influence the pathways by which RA develops.

‘Once someone has developed RA, it's possible that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of alcohol may play a role in reducing the severity of symptoms.’

Dr Maxwell and his colleagues also found that non-drinkers were four times more likely to develop RA than people who drank alcohol on more than 10 days a month.

The risk of developing RA decreased according to the frequency of alcohol consumption. ‘This finding agrees with the results from previous studies that have shown a decreased susceptibility to developing RA among alcohol drinkers’ said Dr Maxwell.

However, the researchers do not fully understand why the consumption of alcohol should reduce the severity of RA and the susceptibility to develop it. Further research is needed to confirm the current results.

The study also had limitations. The participants were only asked about the frequency of their alcohol intake in a month and not the amount they had drunk. People may have inaccurately recalled how often they drank and the data would only represent drinking habits during one stage and not over a longer period. Age and gender could also impact on the final results.

Dr Richard Hull, consultant rheumatologist and chair of Arthritis Care’s clinical and medical advisory group said: ‘This study shows an interesting association which will need a lot of further work. It does not imply a cause and effect.

‘There are good health reasons for not drinking alcohol excessively. It is important to remember to drink in moderation. This is especially the case with methotrexate which, if taken while consuming alcohol, can potentially lead to serious side effects.’

For more information

• Find out more about rheumatoid arthritis
• See our feature Drink and thrive? in Arthritis News
  

If you would like to talk to someone about your arthritis, call Arthritis Care’s free helpline in confidence on 0808 800 4050 Monday to Friday (10am-4pm). Alternatively, you can email Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk