Recurrence Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Articles

Amlodipine modulation of analgesic effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in rheumatoid arthritis, comorbid with arterial hypertension

With the interaction of drugs belonging to different pharmacotherapeutic groups – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive – against the background of comorbid arterial hypertension with rheumatoid arthritis, the activity and safety of drugs may change with their combined use. Changes in the analgesic activity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, different in their selectivity to the types of cyclooxygenase (diclofenac, nimesulide and celecoxib), under the conditions of their long-term combined use with amlodipine in different periods of inflammation against the background of hypertension should be studied. Using the model of adjuvant arthritis comorbid with hypertension, in experiments on nonlinear mature white rats, the threshold of pain sensitivity has been determined by means of the “tail flick” test. Hypertension was caused by salt load with 1% sodium chloride solution for drinking with free access to it. Adjuvant arthritis was induced by the introduction of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the plantar aponeurosis of the hind limb of each animal with the established arterial hypertension. Against the background of arterial hypertension and comorbid pathology, there was an increase in the threshold of pain sensitivity observed in rats, which indicated the development of hypoalgesia. When combined, amlodipine enhanced the analgesic activity of diclofenac during 60 days of observation, slightly heightened the analgesic effect of nimesulide – up to 42 days, the effect of Celecoxib – in the acute period and the period of manifestation of adjuvant arthritis against the background of hypertension. The antinociceptive effect of diclofenac with amlodipine and celecoxib with amlodipine exceeded the analgesic effect of the combined nimesulide with amlodipine use against the background of comorbid pathology. The results obtained can be taken into account under the conditions of prescribing drugs belonging to the studied pharmacotherapeutic groups. It is likely that the use of diclofenac for analgesia against the background of comorbid conditions is only appropriate in the acute period of rheumatoid arthritis. The use of nimesulide to achieve an analgesic effect in the recurrence of rheumatoid arthritis against the background of hypertension is appropriate in the acute period and in the period of the inflammatory process attenuation. A highly selective coxib group cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, can reduce pain during the acute period of arthritis and during the manifestation of an inflammatory reaction that has developed against the background of arterial hypertension.

Association between traffic-related air pollution and hospital readmissions for rheumatoid arthritis in Hefei, China: A time-series study

Air pollution is an important risk factor for autoimmune diseases, but its association with the recurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear so far. This study aimed to investigate the short-term association between traffic-related air pollutants and hospital readmissions for RA in Hefei, China. Data on daily hospital readmissions for RA and traffic-related air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), from 2014 to 2018 were retrieved. A time-series approach using generalized linear regression model was employed. The analysis was further stratified by sex, age and season. A total of 1153 readmissions for RA were reported during the study period. A significant association between high-concentration PM2.5 (90th percentile) and RA readmissions was observed on lag1 (relative risk (RR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.19) and lasted until lag3 (RR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01–1.12). From lag2 to lag5, high-concentration NO2 (90th percentile) was associated with increased risk of RA readmissions, with the highest RR observed at lag 4 (1.11, 95%CI: 1.05–1.17). Stratified analyses indicated that females and the elderly appeared to be more vulnerable to high-concentration PM2.5 and NO2 exposure. High-concentration PM2.5 and NO2 in cold seasons were consistently significantly associated with increased risk of RA readmissions. Exposure to high-concentration PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with increased risk of RA readmissions. Protective measures against the exposure to high-concentration PM2.5 and NO2 should be taken to reduce the recurrence risk in RA patients, especially in females, the elderly and during cold seasons.