Arthritis drug could reduce dementia risk, study finds

DRUGS used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could halve the risk of patients developing dementia, a study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Oxford analysed the records of more than 5800 people living with the condition across the UK.

They compared 3876 patients who took diseasemodifying anti-rheumatic drugs, particularly methot- rexate, with 1938 patients who did not.

The findings, published in the journal Alzheimer’s And Dementia: Translational Research And Clinical Interventions, found those on the antiinflammatory medication had about half the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

“This study shows a positive link between patients taking drugs to treat arthritis and reducing their risk of developing dementia – potentially by up to 50 per cent,” said lead researcher Professor Chris Edwards.

Currently there is medication available that can temporarily reduce some symptoms or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, but there is no cure.

“The results we’ve seen make us optimistic that we are getting closer to better treating this neurological disease and supports further investigation in clinical trials to confirm if these drugs can be used to prevent or treat dementia,” Prof Edwards said.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.