Newsbriefs: Gum Bacteria; RA

Gum Bacteria May Lead to RA.

Gum disease has long been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but recently researchers believe they have found the microbe that can generate the production of antibodies in patients with RA. These markers, found in blood samples of 76 percent of RA patents, are anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, which target citrullinated proteins. Citrullination is a process that changes protein structure. When there are too many protein modifications, the immune system is activated to generate autoantibodies to attack these modified proteins, which leads to the inflammation that can destroy joints—characteristic of RA. Researchers found that a particular bacterium found in RA patients was also present in study participants with gum disease. What this means is that it’s possible to destroy this microbe through antibiotics, periodontal treatment or other methods, and thus help prevent progression to RA. (Journal of the American Medical Association, online, March 8, 2017.)

Treat Early RA with Low-Dose Steroids.

A new study confirms that early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with low-dose steroids, combined with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), taken at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest period of time, is safe and effective. Steroids include such drugs as cortisone and prednisone, which suppress inflammation from autoimmune reactions; DMARDs include methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine, among others. Researchers say this is the first such study of its kind to specifically assess adverse effects of glucocorticoid therapy, even though it has been widely used in early RA. (Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, February 2017.)

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