Women more likely to achieve arthritis remission if they take sex hormones
Researchers made the link between remission, reproductive status and sex hormone use after assessing data from 4,474 women with rheumatoid arthritis. The study reveals that:
- Before menopause, women report fewer rheumatoid arthritis symptoms than peri-menopausal (irregular or infrequent periods) or post-menopausal women;
- Women with rheumatoid arthritis using HRT or oral contraceptives alongside rheumatoid arthritis drugs had a much greater likelihood of remission;
- Post-menopausal women were less likely to reach rheumatoid arthritis remission compared to pre-menopausal women.
Female sex hormones could therefore play a major role in improving the outcome of women taking drugs prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.
“The decision to use HRT is a complex one,” Assoc Prof Michael Wiese says. “It does improve menopause symptoms, but it can modify the risk of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. This study suggests it could also be beneficial for women with rheumatoid arthritis, but the decision to use it requires an in-depth discussion with a GP because each woman has different risk factors.”
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