Arthritis Drugs Linked to Lower Odds of Alzheimer's
Arthritis Drugs Linked to Lower Odds of Alzheimer's
Nov. 9, 2010 (Atlanta) -- People who take drugs called TNF blockers for rheumatoid arthritis may potentially reduce their odds of developing Alzheimer's disease, preliminary research suggests.
The use of TNF blockers was associated with a 55% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis, says Richard C. Chou, MD, PhD, of Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, N.H.
TNF blockers neutralize a protein, called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), that is overproduced in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
"Studies have shown that TNF is also elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's patients and that higher levels correlate with the progression of the disease," Chou tells WebMD.
To further explore the possible association between rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and TNF blockers, Chou and colleagues combed through a medical and pharmacy claims database that included information on 8.5 million U.S. adults.
Chou presented his findings here at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
The researchers identified 165 people who had both RA and newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. Each of these individuals was then compared with up to 10 people of the same age, sex, and duration of drug treatment who had arthritis but no dementia.
After taking into account known risk factors for Alzheimer's such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes, the researchers found that the use of TNF blockers was associated with a 55% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The researchers only looked at the use of three TNF blockers: Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. Other TNF blockers are Cimzia and Simponi.
When they further analyzed the risk according to the three TNF blockers studied, the researchers found that Enbrel was associated with a nearly 70% reduced risk of Alzheimer's, Chou says.
The study does not prove cause and effect. It only shows there may be an association between TNF blockers, particularly Enbrel, and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, he says. RA patients who take the drugs may share some other risk factor that explains the link.
The association was not seen with other types of drugs used for the treatment of RA, including Azulfidine, prednisone, and Rituxan.
The use of TNF blockers was associated with a 55% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis, says Richard C. Chou, MD, PhD, of Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, N.H.
TNF blockers neutralize a protein, called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), that is overproduced in inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
"Studies have shown that TNF is also elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's patients and that higher levels correlate with the progression of the disease," Chou tells WebMD.
To further explore the possible association between rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and TNF blockers, Chou and colleagues combed through a medical and pharmacy claims database that included information on 8.5 million U.S. adults.
Chou presented his findings here at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.
TNF Blockers Linked to 55% Reduced Risk of Alzheimer's
The researchers identified 165 people who had both RA and newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease. Each of these individuals was then compared with up to 10 people of the same age, sex, and duration of drug treatment who had arthritis but no dementia.
After taking into account known risk factors for Alzheimer's such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes, the researchers found that the use of TNF blockers was associated with a 55% lower risk of Alzheimer's disease in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
The researchers only looked at the use of three TNF blockers: Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. Other TNF blockers are Cimzia and Simponi.
When they further analyzed the risk according to the three TNF blockers studied, the researchers found that Enbrel was associated with a nearly 70% reduced risk of Alzheimer's, Chou says.
The study does not prove cause and effect. It only shows there may be an association between TNF blockers, particularly Enbrel, and a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, he says. RA patients who take the drugs may share some other risk factor that explains the link.
The association was not seen with other types of drugs used for the treatment of RA, including Azulfidine, prednisone, and Rituxan.
Source...