Researchers found data that showed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the delta-tetrahydrocannabinol found in medical cannabis is likely to contribute to an increase in heart rate in patients who are susceptible to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Medical cannabis was also not found to provide therapeutic effects when comparing it with a combination of cannabinoid type 1 antagonist, fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, and nonpsychotropic cannabidiol.
Individuals with both hand osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may have higher pain intensity, higher disease activity, and greater functional disability compared with patients with RA only.
Researchers examined the prevalence and distribution of clinical and ultrasound pathologic findings at ankle level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-inflammatory medications, long-term persistent pain was found to be common and may be predicted by higher levels of disability and a history of smoking.