Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with a relative expansion of faecal Prevotellaceae. To determine the microbiome composition and prevalence of spp. in a group of individuals at increased risk for RA, but prior to the development of the disease.
Methods: In an ongoing cohort study of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with RA, we identified 'FDR controls', asymptomatic and without autoantibodies, and individuals in pre-clinical RA stages, who had either developed anticitrullinated peptide antibodies or rheumatoid factor positivity and/or symptoms and signs associated with possible RA. Stool sampling and culture-independent microbiota analyses were performed followed by descriptive statistics and statistical analyses of community structures.
Results: A total of 133 participants were included, of which 50 were categorised as 'FDR controls' and 83 in 'pre-clinical RA stages'. The microbiota of individuals in 'pre-clinical RA stages' was significantly altered compared with FDR controls. We found a significant enrichment of the bacterial family Prevotellaceae, particularly spp., in the 'pre-clinical RA' group (p=0.04).
Conclusions: spp. enrichment in individuals in pre-clinical stages of RA, before the onset of RA, suggests a role of intestinal dysbiosis in the development of RA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by joint inflammation and destruction. Recent studies emphasize the importance of vitamins D, B12, C, and K in managing RA and enhancing patient health. Vitamin D deficiency is common in RA patients and correlates with increased disease severity, indicating its potential to modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation.
Background: Reducing inflammation is central to the management of RA. However, commonly used markers such as CRP and ESR, along with the DAS-28 score, have shown limitations. Hematologic indices, such as platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), show potential as reliable indicators of inflammation in RA.
Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA; Rheumatology Section, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, 97239, USA. Electronic address:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with a complex pathogenesis that evolves through various stages before clinical symptoms emerge. This review outlines the natural history of RA, starting from genetic predisposition and environmental triggers to preclinical autoimmunity and subsequent joint inflammation. Key genetic factors interact with environmental elements like smoking and infections, producing autoantibodies such as anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor, which precede clinical manifestations by several years.
Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the small joints of the whole body and degrades the patients' quality of life. Zhengqing Fengtongning (ZF) is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation used to treat RA. ZF may cause liver injury.
Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Second People's Hospital, Xilong xiang 29, tianing district, Changzhou 213003, China; Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou Second People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China. Electronic address:
