Side Effects of rheumatoid arthritis: A Synthesis of Findings from 8 Studies

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This page's analysis is based on PubMed data provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Original Abstract of the Article

Main Research Findings

Multiple studies have explored the side effects of various medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These studies investigated the effectiveness and safety of medications such as methotrexate, leflunomide, steroids, D-penicillamine, and others. Results indicate that rheumatoid arthritis medications can lead to a range of side effects, including gastrointestinal issues, blood abnormalities, liver dysfunction, infections, and bone-related complications. The frequency of these side effects can vary depending on the specific medication and individual patient characteristics.

Reasons for Side Effects

The side effects of rheumatoid arthritis medications are often a consequence of how these drugs interact with the body. For example, methotrexate is known to inhibit cell growth, but this action can also affect healthy cells, potentially resulting in gastrointestinal problems and blood abnormalities. Steroids, while effective at suppressing the immune system, can lead to long-term complications like osteoporosis and increased risk of infections when used for extended periods.

Common Side Effects

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Medications like methotrexate, leflunomide, and steroids can cause gastrointestinal side effects. , , , 4

Blood Abnormalities

Methotrexate and levamisole can lead to blood abnormalities. , , 4

Liver Dysfunction

Methotrexate and leflunomide can cause liver dysfunction. 3 , , , 4

Infections

Steroids can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections.

Osteoporosis

Long-term use of steroids can increase the risk of osteoporosis. , 1

Other Side Effects

These medications can cause other side effects, including skin issues, hair loss, vision problems, and nerve damage. , 6 , ,

Side Effect Management

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Dietary changes and medications can help manage gastrointestinal side effects.

Blood Abnormalities

If blood abnormalities are detected, medication use may be discontinued, and appropriate blood tests will be conducted.

Liver Dysfunction

If liver dysfunction is detected, medication use may be stopped, and liver function tests will be performed.

Infections

Preventive measures like handwashing and gargling are essential to minimize the risk of infections.

Osteoporosis

Calcium and vitamin D intake, along with exercise therapy, can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. , 1

Comparison Across Studies

Similarities Across Studies

Several studies have highlighted the effectiveness of methotrexate in treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, they also consistently point to the potential for gastrointestinal issues, blood abnormalities, and liver dysfunction. 7 , 3 , , , 4

Differences Across Studies

Variations in the medications studied and research methodologies across different studies can lead to discrepancies in results. For example, research on the side effects of methotrexate has shown varying frequencies of gastrointestinal issues and blood abnormalities. These differences can be attributed to factors such as patient age, individual characteristics, and medication dosages. 7 , 3 , , , 4

Important Considerations for Real-Life Application

While rheumatoid arthritis medications offer effective treatments, they also come with the risk of side effects. It's crucial to closely follow your doctor's instructions when taking these medications and to seek medical advice immediately if any side effects arise. Before starting any medication, it's also important to discuss your personal characteristics and pre-existing conditions with your doctor.

Limitations of Current Research

The current understanding of side effects associated with rheumatoid arthritis medications is still incomplete. Further research is needed, particularly regarding the long-term effects of these drugs and the mechanisms underlying the development of side effects.

Future Research Directions

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis medications, continued research is critical. This includes studying the long-term impact of these medications and the mechanisms by which side effects occur. Additionally, developing new treatments and preventative strategies to minimize side effects is crucial.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis medications can provide effective treatments, but they also come with the possibility of side effects. These side effects can vary depending on the specific medication, dosage, and individual patient characteristics. If you have any concerns about potential side effects, consult with your doctor for guidance.

Literature analysis of 8 papers
Positive Content
5
Neutral Content
3
Negative Content
0
Article Type
2
1
2
1
8
1.

A randomised trial of differentiated prednisolone treatment in active rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical benefits and skeletal side effects.

Author: HansenM, PodenphantJ, FlorescuA, StoltenbergM, BorchA, KlugerE, SørensenS F, HansenT M

Protective effect against bone loss
Reduced disease activity
Spinal bone loss

Prednisolone treatment for rheumatoid arthritis shows mixed results. While it reduces disease activity, its effect on radiological progression is unclear. It also causes spinal bone loss, but protects against bone loss in the hand and forearm.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

2.

Prediction of nonspecific side effects in rheumatoid arthritis patients by beliefs about medicines.

Author: NestoriucYvonne, OravE John, LiangMatthew H, HorneRobert, BarskyArthur J

Negative beliefs side effects

Patients' negative beliefs about arthritis medication predicted increased side effects, especially when starting new medications. Identifying patients with negative beliefs is important to avoid premature drug discontinuation.

Comparative StudyResearch that compares multiple groups/interventions to determine differences/similarities in outcomes/characteristics.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

3.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of leflunomide and methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Author: Alfaro-LaraRoberto, Espinosa-OrtegaHector Fabricio, Arce-SalinasCésar Alejandro,

RA treatment
GI complaints
Increased liver enzymes

Methotrexate and leflunomide have similar efficacy as first-line disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A meta-analysis of 1984 patients from 73 trials found that methotrexate was associated with a greater reduction in swollen joint count, while leflunomide was linked to a higher incidence of increased liver enzymes.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

4.

Side effects of methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review.

Author: WangWanying, ZhouHua, LiuLiang

RA treatment
Gastrointestinal toxicity
Malignant diseases

Methotrexate is an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but can cause side effects ranging from mild to severe. Careful monitoring and dose adjustments can help minimize these risks.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

5.

FGF21 Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy and Reduces Side Effects of Dexamethasone in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Author: SunXu, XieYin-Zhuo, JiangYuan-Yuan, WangGuan-Ying, WangYu-Jia, MeiYu, GaoRong-Hui, LiYan-Hua, XiaoWei, WangWen-Fei, LiDe-Shan

RA treatment
Reduce dexamethasone side effects

This study investigated the efficacy of FGF21 combined with dexamethasone for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in mice. The study found that FGF21 combined with dexamethasone was more effective than either treatment alone and reduced the side effects of dexamethasone.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

6.

[Cutaneous side effects induced by D-penicillamine in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis].

Author: BrogginiM, BaratelliE, CappelliA, CrespiE, FilardiP G, VolontèS

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Drug-induced LES
Pemphigus
Skin rash

D-penicillamine is a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis that can cause skin side effects, including rashes and drug-induced pemphigus. The drug needs to be discontinued if these reactions occur.

English AbstractA summary of a research paper/publication written in English for a wider audience.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : Italian

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