In a nutshell
This study investigated if the risk of asthma is greater in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The authors found that RA was linked to an increased risk of asthma.
Some background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known as an auto-immune disease. This is because the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the joints. This leads to inflammation and painful swelling.
Asthma is another disease caused by inflammation. Inflammation in the airway makes it difficult to breathe. Some studies suggest that asthma is more common in patients with RA. There is no evidence to suggest that RA causes asthma. However, it is unclear if there is an increased risk of asthma in patients with RA.
Methods & findings
This study included 6,695 RA patients. 26,780 patients without RA were also included as controls. The authors analyzed data from medical records. They compared the rates of asthma in RA and control patients. The data was used to calculate the risk of asthma.
Overall, the risk of asthma was 23% greater in patients with RA. Other factors like age and sex did not significantly affect the results. RA medication did not have a significant impact on the risk of asthma. The risk was 27% in methotrexate-treated patients.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that RA was linked to an increased risk of asthma.
The fine print
This study was conducted in a Korean population. The findings may not extend to other ethnicities.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding RA and asthma, please consult with your physician.
Published By :
Scientific reports
Date :
May 06, 2019
