Early life infections increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritisJune 16, 2008Infections during the first year of life are a marker of increased risk of developing specific types of arthritis later in life, according to new research from Sweden presented today at EULAR 2008, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden found that infants who were hospitalised for infection before their first birthday had an increased likelihood of developing either juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in later life. Investigator Dr Cecilia Carlens of The Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, said: "Whilst recent research has suggested that early life infections are of importance to the maturation of the immune system in general, our analysis shows a link between perinatal infection and increased RA and JIA risk in particular, highlighting the importance of a child's formative months on his or her rheumatic health in later life." The Swedish register-based case-control study reviewed recorded data on individuals born nationwide between 1973 and 2002, and involved 333 RA patients and 3,334 JIA patients. The analysis revealed that an increase in infections within the first 12 months is associated with an increased risk of developing JIA (odds ratio =1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.7-2.1) and sero-negative RA (odds ratio =2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.0-7.0), a distinct type of RA that is less aggressive than sero-positive RA.
However, other parts of the study suggested that perinatal charactertics, such as low birth weight (odds ratio =0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.0) and the duration of the gestational period may also affect arthritis risk in later life. A longer gestational period of over 42 weeks, emerged as a potential risk factor for developing JIA (odds ratio =1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.0). The patient data reviewed was taken from the Swedish Inpatient Register and the Early Arthritis Register. Using the Swedish Medical Birth Register, four controls were randomly selected per case, matched by sex, year, and delivery-unit. Linkage to the Medical Birth Register and the Swedish Inpatient Register provided the necessary information on maternal-, pregnancy- and birth-characteristics, and infections during first year of life. Univariate odds ratios (OR) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. European League Against Rheumatism | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Related Arthritis Current Events and Arthritis News Articles Hodgkin lymphoma -- new characteristics discovered Researchers are still discovering new characteristics of Hodgkin lymphoma, a common form of cancer of the lymphatic system. The malignant cells are derived from white blood cells (B cells), but have lost a considerable part of the B cell-specific gene expression pattern. Incorporating Education in Exercise Programs Increases Benefits for Arthritis Patients, MU Researchers Find Arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability. The number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to increase to 67 million by 2030, and a large proportion of U.S. adults will limit their activity as a result. Discovery of natural compounds that could slow blood vessel growth Using computer models and live cell experiments, biomedical engineers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered more than 100 human protein fragments that can slow or stop the growth of cells that make up new blood vessels. UCR researchers propose minocycline as a promising drug for patients with Fragile X syndrome A UC Riverside-led team of biomedical scientists has found that a readily available drug called minocycline, used widely to treat acne and skin infections, can be used to treat Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of mental impairment and the most common cause of autism. New study proves that pain is not a symptom of arthritis, pain causes arthritis Pain is more than a symptom of osteoarthritis, it is an inherent and damaging part of the disease itself, according to a study published today in journal Arthritis and Rheumatism. Supplements no better than placebo in slowing cartilage loss in knees of osteoarthritis patients In a two-year multicenter study led by University of Utah doctors, the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate performed no better than placebo in slowing the rate of cartilage loss in the knees of osteoarthritis patients. Occupational therapy gets people with osteoarthritis moving Physical activity is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle - and especially for people with osteoarthritis as exercise helps maintain good joint health, manage their symptoms, and prevent functional decline. Osteoarthritis, however, often makes physical activity, such as exercise, and even performing daily activities, a challenge. Working environment is 1 cause of rheumatoid arthritis It has long been known that environmental factors play a part in the development of rheumatoid arthritis; smoking and drinking alcohol, along with heredity, are particularly instrumental in increasing the risk of the disease. Sinusitis patients have pain similar to the elderly and people with arthritis A new analysis led by researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center suggests many patients with sinusitis have aches and pains similar in severity to people in their 80s and those with arthritis or depression. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients Patients with IBD have high risk of infection by hepatitis viruses B or C because during the course of their disease, they need blood transfusions, and sometimes surgical and endoscopic procedures for diagnosis and treatment. More Arthritis Current Events and Arthritis News Articles |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||