According to a press release from the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR), intensive lifestyle modifications may help patients manage rheumatoid arthritis. The findings were presented by Wagenaar et al at the EULAR 2024 Congress and simultaneously published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Previous studies have shown that following a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and stress control may reduce the 28-joint disease activity score in this patient population.

In the new Plants for Joints trial, researchers randomly assigned patients with rheumatoid arthritis to receive either a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention—involving a whole-food, plant-based diet; physical activity; and stress management—or usual care. After an initial 16-week period, the patients who were assigned to the usual care group began receiving the lifestyle intervention. The patients in both groups were then followed up for 2 years. Some of the patients whose 28-joint disease activity scores were below 2.6 were offered the opportunity to taper their antirheumatic drugs with rheumatologist supervision.

The researchers found that a large proportion of the 62% of patients who completed the 2-year study period were able to maintain improvements in their 28-joint disease activity scores—particularly their tender joint counts and general health—as well as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive proteins compared with baseline. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and swollen joint count between baseline and 2-year follow-up.

Further, among the 39 patients who were receiving antirheumatic drugs, 44% of them were able to reduce their doses or cease taking the drugs, 26% of them had stable usage, and 31% had increased drug usage.

The researchers concluded that the new treatment strategy may offer long-term benefit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

No conflicts of interest were disclosed.