Hormone Is Connected to RA

A study of 101 men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found that levels of estradiol are strongly linked to inflammation in men with RA.These study results were published recently in the

Journal of Rheumatology

. Whereas levels of other sex hormones are altered in men with the disease, only estradiol was repeatedly connected to inflammation. Using standard measures, the researchers determined inflammatory activity and degree of disability. They measured the levels of estradiol, estrone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in RA patients and in healthy patients. They found that DHEA and estrone levels were lower in arthritis patients, compared with healthy subjects. On the other hand, estradiol levels were higher in arthritis patients, compared with healthy participants.