An important discovery could change the way we treat rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that affects more than 17.6 million people worldwide.
British researchers have found that changes in gut bacteria can predict who will develop this painful joint disease, writes Medical News Today.
The study, carried out by Dr. Christopher Rooney’s team from the University of Leeds, followed 124 people at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis for 15 months. Of these, 30 developed the disease during the study.
Patients with arthritis had lower bacterial diversity
The scientists found that patients who developed arthritis had a lower diversity of bacteria in their gut than healthy people. Moreover, they identified two specific types of bacteria (from the family Prevotella cover) that could play a crucial role in triggering the disease.
“The gut is in a constant conversation with the immune system. When there are changes in the bacteria in the gut, they can influence the whole body”, explains Dr. Rooney.
The discovery paves the way for new treatments. Researchers believe that in the future they may be able to prevent or delay the onset of rheumatoid arthritis through interventions that alter the bacteria in the gut, such as special probiotics or dietary changes.
“This is a promising discovery for preventive and personalized treatments that could improve the lives of those prone to this disease,” says Dr. Rooney.
Source: www.descopera.ro
