Some arthritis drugs may increase chances of shingles
Rheumatoid arthritis treatments could increase the
risk of shingles says German study.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition which is caused by the
body's own defences - a so-called autoimmune disorder.
Drugs used to treat this and other similar conditions normally act by reducing the
body's immune response. It is because the response is too high that the condition
occurs in the first place.
However there can be side-effects, and a new Germany study has suggested that
one such side-effect is the increased chance of shingles.
Shingles is the reactivation of the virus which causes chickenpox.
Typically this is contracted as a child.
However after the symptoms have passed the virus remains dormant in the body.
It can then re-active, typically when the person is over the age of 50.
This re-activation is called shingles, and it can be very painful.
The symptoms include blisters which can be very sore and itchy.
The study investigated the effects of Anti-TNF (anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha)
therapy drugs which can help sufferers of Rheumatoid arthritis.
It analysed data from over 5,000 patients and looked at different types of treatment.
The researchers found that Anti-TNF drugs almost doubled the incidence of shingles.
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