Smoking is associated with many comorbidities of rheumatic diseases

Greater body weight is associated with more pain and fatigue, worse functioning, more progress and, above all, more comorbidities.

A healthy lifestyle in patients with rheumatic diseases can improve the response to some treatments and help prevent progression. In contrast, smoking and obesity are the factors most associated with worse outcomes and more comorbidities in people…

A healthy lifestyle in patients with rheumatic diseases can improve the response to some treatments and help prevent progression. In contrast, smoking and obesity are the factors most closely associated with worse outcomes and more comorbidities in people with rheumatic diseases. This was highlighted by Lucía Silva, rheumatologist at the University Hospital Complex in A Coruña, within the framework of XII SER Rheumatopic Course. “And Greater weight the body is associated with more pain and fatigue, worse function, more progress and, above all, more comorbidities in diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis where there is a lot of scientific evidence about it,” he detailed. In this regard, tobacco is associated with greater disease activity and greater progression of many rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or spondyloarthritis. In this sense, it not only predisposes to greater comorbidity, especially cardiovascular, but also has negative effects on radiographic progress and disability. On the other hand, Regarding alcohol consumption, most of the studies were done on gout. In these cases it was observed that in addition to increasing the frequency of attacks, it can also contribute to disability and deterioration of kidney function.

Reducing the comorbidity of rheumatic diseases

On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle in patients with rheumatic diseases facilitates management, because the response to some treatments can be better and help prevent progression. It is also key to reducing the comorbidities of rheumatic diseases. Also, there are studies that support the intake of fish oil, fiber, vitamins or low calorie diets to improve disease outcomes, but there is no strong evidence to recommend any specific food component. In this case, the only recommendation that can be made is to follow a healthy and balanced diet, as emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO).