Moderate consumption of alcohol may slow rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of joints, which evolves in spurts over dozens of years. The risk factor is smoking better established.

Axel Finckh and colleagues from Geneva University Hospitals have followed 2908 people with the disease for four years during which their X-rays of joints were taken regularly.

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The disease progressed more slowly in people who consume occasionally or daily alcohol consumption than those that do. But this protective effect was not present among heavy drinkers and their condition was deteriorating even faster.

Slowing the progression of the disease among non-drinkers and moderate drinkers was not significant enough to be evident in everyday life in terms of symptoms or disability, the researchers say. But, if the progression is slowed over decades, the gap may become important. The benefits were most marked among men, which could be explained by the fact that 27% of men said drink daily compared to 14% of women.

These results confirm those of previous studies and work done on mice. The researchers suggest that moderate consumption of alcohol may reduce inflammation (by decreasing the activity of the immune system) while a higher consumption may encourage it.

The authors would not encourage people with the disease who do not consume alcohol to do so because of the potential risks of such use. But those who already drink moderately should not be encouraged to stop, do they.

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