Newsbriefs: Fish for RA; GI Bleeding
Fish Associated With RA Improvements
A recent small study (Arthritis Care & Research, June 21) suggests that regularly eating fish may help relieve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. The 176 study participants completed a questionnaire assessing their usual diet during the previous year. Their fish consumption—which was counted only if fish was broiled, steamed, baked, or eaten raw—was categorized as never or less than once a month; once a month to less than once a week; once a week; and two or more times a week. People who ate fish twice per week had lower RA disease activity (swollen/tender joint counts, along with other assessments) than those who never ate fish, or ate it less than once a month. The study doesn’t prove cause-and-effect (people who eat more fish tend to have healthier lifestyles that mitigate RA symptoms), but fish is linked with better overall health, so aim to eat it at least twice a week to reap the benefits.
GI Bleeds and Aspirin
A new study (The Lancet, June 13) suggests that the risk for gastrointestinal bleeding while taking aspirin may be greater than previously thought in people age 75 and older. The 10-year study looked at 3,000 people who were prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy after a previous heart attack or stroke. For those aged 75 and younger, the annual risk for bleeding was about 1 percent, which increased to a 4 percent annual risk for those aged 85 or older. Those aged 75 and up had three times the risk for a major bleed, as well as poorer outcomes after a bleed than adults under age 75. If you are taking aspirin, discuss with your doctor how you can protect yourself from bleeding—but keep in mind that it is unclear whether aspirin therapy benefits people age 75 and older who have never had cardiovascular disease. If you fall into this category, discuss with your doctor whether you can stop taking the drug (but don’t stop taking it without consulting your doctor).
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