Rheumatoid Arthritis

Copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps have no effect on pain, swelling, or disease Progression of rheumatoid arthritis, says Dr. Steward Richmond. His randomized, doppelblind study did not indicate that symptoms are alleviated by these devices.

For more Information:
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/20130918/copper-bracelets-rheumatoid-arthritis

Iron metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tański W, Chabowski M, Jankowska-Polańska B, Jankowska EA. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021 Jun;25(12):4325-4335

Research Conclusion: Iron deficiency is common (64%) in RA patients where there is high disease activity. RA patients had lower transferrin, lower ferritin, lower hepcidin, and higher sTfR. Decreased DAS-28 and reduced hemoglobin were the strongest determinants of iron deficiency.

Iron metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (europeanreview.org)

Abstract:

Many publications with conflicting results have evaluated serum levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was conducted. Relevant published data were retrieved through PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) before September 20, 2014. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) was calculated using STATA 11.0. A total of 26 studies, including 1444 RA cases and 1241 healthy controls, were collected in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis found that patients with RA had a higher serum level of Cu and a lower serum Zn level than the healthy controls (Cu (μg/dl), WMD = 31.824, 95 % CI = 20.334, 43.314; Zn (μg/dl), WMD = -12.683, 95 % CI = -19.783, -5.584). Subgroup analysis showed that ethnicity had influence on the serum level of Cu (μg/dl) (Caucasian, WMD = 43.907, 95 % CI = 35.090, 52.723, P < 0.001; Asian, WMD = 14.545, 95 % CI = -12.365, 41.455, P = 0.289) and Zn (μg/dl) (Caucasian, WMD = -11.038, 95 % CI = -23.420, 1.344, P = 0.081; Asian, WMD = -14.179, 95 % CI = -18.963, -9.394, P < 0.001) in RA and healthy controls. No evidence of publication bias was observed. This meta-analysis suggests that increased serum level of Cu and decreased serum level of Zn are generally present in RA patients.

Read report: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25869414/

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease, which mainly involves the joints. RA is prevalent worldwide with increasing prevalence in elderly people. The mechanism of RA pathogenesis is still undefined, and it is interplaying between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Although risk factors for RA are not fully established, various studies have focused on the role of trace elements in association with RA. Trace elements act as co-factors for most of the enzymes, and their deficiency is associated with many untoward effects on human health. The homeostatic alterations in the metabolism of trace elements may partly be due to inflammatory response in RA. The objective of the present study was to determine the serum concentrations and correlation of zinc, copper, and iron in RA patients and healthy controls. The study comprised of 61 RA patients and 61 age- and sex-related healthy individuals of Pakistani population. Serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe were measured in all the participants by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum Zn and Fe were significantly reduced in the RA patients than those in the healthy controls. Serum Cu concentrations were found elevated in the RA patients. Correlation studies of trace elements determine that there was negative correlation between Zn and Cu in the RA patients and no correlation in the control group. It is very important to explore the deficiency of essential trace metals in biological samples of the RA patients in different populations which may be helpful for diagnosis and supplementary management of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Read full report: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27239678/