Dementia risk lower in people treated with biologic DMARDs

Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may have neuroprotective effects according to exciting new meta-analysis in RMD Open. Conventional synthetic DMARDs did not show a similar outcome.

Chronic inflammation is one of the factors believed to be involved in the development of dementia. So to assess the impact of DMARD treatment in rheumatoid arthritis on the risk for dementia, experts looked at data from over 940,000 people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The analysis demonstrated a “significant reduction” in dementia risk among people receiving biological DMARDs versus those taking conventional synthetic DMARDs.

Dr Wenhui Xie who is one of the lead researchers explains that the findings “have clinical implications in choosing DMARDs for patients with rheumatoid arthritis at high risk for dementia and may also provide important insights into the prevention and treatment of dementia.”

The team suggests that TNF inhibitors should undergo controlled clinical trials to assess their “neuroprotective potentials.”

What are DMARDS?

DMARDs are arthritis drugs that change how the disease progresses instead of simply relieving pain. There are two types:

Biologic DMARDs are made from living organisms and target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation. Examples include adalimumab and etanercept.

Synthetic DMARDs are man-made drugs that reduce inflammation but through different pathways. They include older drugs such as methotrexate and newer ones including tofacitinib.

Choosing between biologic and synthetic DMARDS depends on factors such as the severity of the disease, patient preferences and potential side effects.

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