Study reveals advances for rheumatoid arthritis patients

21 Apr 2017

People living with rheumatoid arthritis have experienced significant improvements in their daily lives which are probably down to early and more aggressive treatment of the disease, according to new research in the Faculty.

James Gwinnutt, first author of this study from the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, conducted the Arthritis Research UK study, led by Dr Suzan Verstappen in the Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, into the devastating disease which examined 20 years of data.

The findings of the study that involved more than 600 patients have been published in Arthritis and Rheumatology.

The team found that patients who were prescribed disease-modifying drug therapies such as Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate and steroids within six months of symptom onset experienced significantly better ability to walk, grip and dress themselves over the course of 20 years compared to patients who were treated later. These patients also had a lower risk of dying, after controlling for the severity of the disease.

Mr Gwinnutt said: “Although there is a broad range in terms of how people are affected by the disease, the number of patients whose lives have improved has increased thanks in part to early treatment. The good news is that early intervention has become more and more common in the NHS over these past 20 years.”

To read this press release in full click HERE.