Distinctive Gut Microbial Composition Seen for Progressors to Rheumatoid Arthritis
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2024 -- At-risk individuals who progress to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a distinctive gut microbial composition, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Christopher M. Rooney, from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, and colleagues examined structural, functional, and temporal changes in the gut microbiome among individuals who did versus those who did not progress to RA. A total of 124 individuals at risk for RA, defined by the presence of anticyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) antibodies and new musculoskeletal symptoms, were identified (30 progressed to RA); 19 underwent longitudinal sampling at five time points over 15 months (five progressed to RA).
The researchers found that at baseline, there were significant differences observed in Prevotellaceae abundance for CCP-positive at-risk progressors versus nonprogressors. Progressors had gut microbiome instability 10 months before RA onset in longitudinal sampling; this phenomenon was not seen among nonprogressors. This finding may indicate a late microbial shift before onset of RA, with Prevotellaceae contributing to these changes. There was an association seen for structural changes in the gut microbiome during arthritis development with increased amino acid metabolism.
"Individuals at risk of RA harbor a distinctive gut microbial composition, including but not limited to an overabundance of Prevotellaceae species," the authors write. "This microbial signature is consistent and correlates with traditional RA risk factors."
Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted November 2024
Read this next
Digestive Disease Week, May 3-6
Digestive Disease Week, the annual meeting sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for...
Psoriatic Arthritis Tied to Delays in Diagnosis Compared With Rheumatoid Arthritis
WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 -- Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have delays in diagnosis compared with those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published...
Gastrointestinal Disease Tied to High Physical, Financial Burden
FRIDAY, April 18, 2025 -- Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases are responsible for a considerable and growing burden of health care use and costs within the United States, according to...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.