Posted on August 2, 2007 in Latest News
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes progressive joint destruction, leading to disability and premature death. Cigarette smoking has been long believed a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis. But recent sample tests taken by Dr. Axel Finckh, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland show that heavy cigarette smokers had less progressive joint damage than those who are non-smokers and average smokers.
Finckh explains in his interview with Reuters, “Potentially, this may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of nicotine.” This suggests that smoking improves the condition of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis because of the anti-inflammatory attributes of nicotine.
However, further research is needed to fully understand this aspect of smoking and its relation to rheumatoid arthritis. But, as a caution, Finckh says, “The cardiovascular hazards of smoking certainly outweigh the potential anti-inflammatory benefits of nicotine.”
Therefore the health risks caused by smoking are more than the benefits people might expect from it.
Source: Reuters website
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