Quitting smoking reduces symptoms of spondyloarthritis

Giving up smoking is associated with lower disease activity, improved physical function and better quality of life in people with spondyloarthritis, experts report in the Journal of Arthritis Care and Research.

Data was analysed from 946 people with spondyloarthritis (74% men, average age 52 years) of whom 22% smoked and 37% had smoked in the past.

Smokers with spondyloarthritis experience worse disease than those who have never smoked. But giving up smoking is associated with lower disease activity and better physical function and quality of life.

“This study provides evidence, not only that patients with axial spondyloarthritis who smoke experience worse disease, but that ex-smokers report lower levels of disease activity, and better function and quality of life than current smokers,” explains Dr Gareth T. Jones, who led the work. “The study provides a strong argument, therefore, that smoking cessation should be promoted, not only as general health advice, but specifically targeted as a disease management strategy in this patient group.”

Click here to read the original research.

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