ICYMI: RA Disease Activity and Alcohol Use Save

Editor's note: This article originally appeared January 12, 2023, and is being shared again this week in case you missed it.

Despite its well known toxicities, alcohol is known to be antiinflammatory. The effects of alcohol use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is less known, but a recent study suggests that alcohol consumption was dose-dependently associated with lower disease activity and higher health-related quality of life in RA patients.

Data derived from the population-based case-control study EIRA (Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis) examined 1228 patients newly diagnosed RA, and compared outcomes according to whether they regularly consumed alcohol (drinkers) or not (non-drinkers). Drinkers were categorized as low or moderate consumption (52 gram/week among women and 112 gram/week among men).

At baseline, RA non-drinkers had higher disease activity and more severe pain compared to drinkers. Alcohol consumption significantly correlated with ACPA negativity (67% vs 79% in CCP+, p=0.002), and RF negativity (63% vs. 80% in CCP+, p=0.003).

At 1-year follow-up, non-drinkers had:

• More swollen joints (6.6 vs 3.9)
• More tender joint  (7.7 vs 5.4)
• More pain (31 vs 20; out of 100)
• More fatigue, lower global health, and lower health-related quality of life.

Those who stopped drinking post-baseline had increases in disease activity, pain and worse health-related quality of life at 1-year follow-up.

Alcohol consumption by RA patients should be judged in the context of these benefits against any potential hazards.