Positive Anti-CCP linked to smoking and secondhand | Arthritis Information

 

At my last rheumy appointment, my doc told me about a study that has identified that a postitive anti-ccp can be linked to smoking or being exposed to second-hand smoke.  He gave me a copy of the the information, but I can't locate it at the moment since I am still recovering from surgery.  Anyways, he said he couldn't believe that the media hasn't picked up on this news.  I told him I had grown up in a house with 2 smokers and he told me thank my parents for being sick.  A little harsh I know, but he is very blunt though not unking.  I wish I had the study to quote directly but if you google "positive anti-ccp antibody in rheumatoid arthritis linked to smoking and second hand smoke" there are several links.  Perhaps someone would be kind enough to post some links?  I am having trouble copy/pasting on this laptop...

hi  graciemum hope you are making a goood recovery    

Abstract:
Purpose of review: This review has two purposes: to describe the known effects of cigarette smoking on the development of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and to review recent research aimed at understanding the mechanisms by which smoking may interact with genes and immunity in triggering these diseases.

Recent findings: Large case-control studies as well as cohort studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for RF positive and anti-citrulline antibody with rheumatoid arthritis and that the risk diminishes only several years after cessation of smoking. Evidence exists that smoking is a risk factor also for systemic lupus erythematosus, and that the risk may be related to the presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies. Mechanistic studies are reviewed that suggest that smoking can trigger specific and potentially disease-inducing immune reactions against citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid arthritis, and dsDNA in systemic lupus erythematosus, and it is suggested that the genetic context determines which immune reactions may be triggered by smoking.

Summary: Counselling against smoking should be mandatory in rheumatological practice both to patients and to their relatives. Studies on the mechanisms whereby smoking triggers rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus may provide fundamental new knowledge about the cause and molecular pathogenesis of these diseases.

icotine

• The amount of nicotine in cigarettes has steadily increased over the last 6 years, according to a report by the Massachusetts Department of Health. Nicotine is the chemical in cigarettes that makes them addictive. Higher levels can make it harder to quit smoking.
• The first signs of nicotine withdrawal appear within 30 minutes of a smoker’s last cigarette, according to a study published in Psychopharmacology.

Drug News

• A study in Chest found that under-the-tongue nicotine tablets helped a significant number of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stop smoking within 6 months.
• The drug varenicline (Chantrix) significantly reduces cigarette cravings and may work better than bupropion (Zyban), another anti-smoking drug. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that almost 50% of those who took varenicline were able to quit.

Smoking & Health

• Smokers with asthma who give up smoking considerably improve their lung function in less than 2 months, according to a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
• Smoking nearly doubles the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in postmenopausal women who do not have the most established genetic risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (HLA-DRB1 SE). The findings were published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
• All forms of tobacco raise your risk of a heart attack, according to research published in the Lancet. However, the study also found that the risk of a heart attack among those who stopped smoking slowly decreased over time.
• A study in the British Medical Journal supports earlier research that smokers are at higher risk of developing glucose intolerance.
• A study in Health Services Research found that the average weight gain among former smokers is about 21 pounds, not the 5 -15 pounds that most people think. Fear of weight gain should not keep a person from quitting smoking.

Thanks Boney!i dont think any mention of ccp is here.. I was a smoker when I first got RA.    I quit but went back and a year later I came out of remission from RA.   Perhaps you've got something there.Ny parents were both heavy smokers (back in the day women smokes while pregnant too) and I'm a smoker. Pip that's interesting.  I am RF positive (but only low +), anti-CCP negative, have never smoked or been around second hand smoke much, also very seldom have had alcohol and then only in a very small amount (if that matters any).  My RA is considered Mild, and maybe (time will tell for sure) non-erosive.  My former rheumy told me only a few months ago that if the anti-CCP was negative, then I didn't have RA.  That most definitely is not what the current research is showing - negative anti-CCP means less agressive disease, and positive anti-CCP means more agressive disease.  Thanks for the heads up on the smoking connection.  So much new research is available to us now via the internet--fantastic!
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