Effect of Smoking on Pain and Atherosclerosis in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Effect of Smoking on Pain and Atherosclerosis in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Primary aim: examine a possible connection between cigarette smoking, disease activity and perceived pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Secondary aim: Evaluate cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The study will recruit patients with rheumatoid arthritis (age 20-60 years) at rheumatology clinics in Västra Götaland. All patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be informed of the study in a letter and later contacted by the study coordinator and if interested booked for a study visit at the rheumatology clinic. At the study visit the patients will meet with rheumatologist for clinical examination of their joints and tenderpoints. An algometer is used for objective quantification of the patients pain sensitivity. Questionnaire regarding medical treatment, other diseases, smoking habits, subjective pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression, ability to work and ability to perform everyday activities are filled out by the patient.

Height, weight, blood pressure, blood, urine and fat biopsy will be collected for analyse.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 20-60 years diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other serious physical or mental illness, lack of knowledge in Swedish language making answering the questionnaires impossible