Improving disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Intensive lifestyle modifications may help patients manage rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Prior research has demonstrated that following a plant-based diet, regular exercise and stress control may reduce the 28-joint disease activity score in this patient population.

In the study, researchers randomly assigned patients with rheumatoid arthritis to receive either a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention — involving a plant-based diet, physical activity and stress management — or usual care. After 16 weeks, the patients in the usual care group began receiving the lifestyle intervention.

After a follow-up of two years, the researchers found that a large proportion of the patients who completed the study were able to maintain improvements in their 28-joint disease activity scores, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels compared with baseline. However, no statistically significant differences were identified in the erythrocyte sedimentation rates and swollen joint counts between baseline and two-year follow-up.

The researchers concluded that the treatment strategy may offer long-term benefit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Read more: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

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