Rheumatoid arthritis: Scientists investigate potential vaccine – Medical News Today

Share on PinterestThe authors of a new study hope that their work paves the way for a rheumatoid arthritis vaccine. James Porter/Getty Images

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation, often in the joints. It is chronic and can be debilitating.
• Currently, there is no cure for RA.
• A new study using an animal model suggests that a vaccine to prevent RA may be possible.

RA is a debilitating chronic condition that impacts the joints in the body. It can cause pain and decrease people’s ability to function. While individuals can manage the condition, there is no cure.

A new study that appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that there may be hope for a vaccine to help prevent RA.

The study examined a specific protein and its influence on the development of arthritis in rats.

Arthritis refers to joint inflammation. The term encompasses a broad class of conditions that impact the joints.

RA is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. This causes inflammation in the joints and joint damage and can lead to chronic pain.

According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), joint pain, swelling, or stiffness typically lasts for 6 weeks or longer. RA usually affects smaller joints in the body first, such as the bones of wrists and hands, and the symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of the body.

Because there is no cure, pain management for people with arthritis is critical.

In a recent episode of the AF podcast “Live Yes with Arthritis,” occupational therapist Rebecca Gillett explained that “pain is a personal experience that is influenced by many factors […] There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to pain, but one of the first steps is identifying unique challenges and triggers.”

Currently, people with RA manage the condition through medications and other strategies. For example, individuals with arthritis are encouraged to remain active, reach or maintain a moderate body weight, and take steps to protect their joints from injury.

The authors of the recent study focused on a specific protein — 14-3-3 zeta — and its role in arthritis.

They initially theorized that this protein contributes to the …….

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-a-vaccine-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-possible