The Impact Of Smoking On Arthritis
Updated August 2024
When people think about the dangers of smoking, they usually consider its impact on the lungs, heart, and overall life expectancy.
However, what might not be as widely recognised is the connection between smoking and the development or worsening of arthritis. If you’re a
smoker, understanding how this habit can affect your joints might provide yet another reason to quit.
The links between smoking and diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke are well known. But, smoking is also a risk factor for some
musculoskeletal conditions and can also increase the pain from these conditions.
There’s now a large amount of research to show that smoking can contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For those with
RA that do smoke, it can also worsen symptoms and make medications less effective.
The link between smoking and arthritis is not just limited to RA. It can cause more damage or pain, and less effective treatment for
conditions like back pain, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Smoking is also a risk factor for complications during or after surgery. The complications can include slower wound healing, risk of
infection, drug interactions.
The Link Between Smoking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
One of the most significant connections between smoking and arthritis involves rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease in which the
body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation in the joints.
Studies have shown that smoking is a major risk factor for developing RA, particularly in people who have a genetic predisposition to the
disease.
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Increased Risk of RA: Research indicates that smokers are up to twice as likely to
develop RA compared to non-smokers. The risk is particularly high in people who carry certain genetic markers, which are known to increase
the risk of developing RA.
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Worse Symptoms: For people who already have RA, smoking can worsen symptoms, leading
to more severe joint damage and making the disease more difficult to manage. Smokers with RA often experience more pain, swelling, and
reduced joint function compared to non-smokers with the condition.
Smoking and Inflammation
Smoking contributes to chronic inflammation throughout the body, which is a key factor in the development and progression of various forms
of arthritis, not just RA.
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Increases Inflammation: Smoking triggers the release of proteins that cause
inflammation in the body. This ongoing inflammation can lead to arthritis or make existing joint problems worse.
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Reduces Oxygen to Joints: Smoking decreases blood flow and oxygen to your joints,
including the cartilage and joint lining. This can speed up the deterioration of joint cartilage and slow down the body's ability to heal,
making arthritis progress more quickly.
Impact on Bone Health
Smoking is known to have a detrimental effect on bone health, which is particularly concerning for people with arthritis.
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Decreased Bone Density: Smoking can make your bones weaker, which raises the
chances of developing osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and more likely to break. For people with arthritis, weaker
bones can make joint pain worse and increase the risk of falls and fractures.
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Slower Healing: If someone with arthritis breaks a bone, smoking can slow down the
healing process. The nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can make it harder for the bone to repair itself, leading to a longer
recovery time and potential complications.
Impact on Osteoarthritis
While the connection between smoking and RA is well-documented, smoking also plays a role in osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of
non-inflammatory arthritis.
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Accelerated Joint Degeneration: Smoking can accelerate the degeneration of joint
cartilage, leading to earlier and quicker development of osteoarthritis. This happens because smoking harms blood flow and reduces the
body's ability to produce collagen, which is important for keeping cartilage healthy.
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Increased Pain Sensitivity: Smokers with osteoarthritis often report higher levels of
pain compared to non-smokers. Smoking might make you more sensitive to pain by weakening your body's natural pain relief and increasing
inflammation.
Difficulty in Treatment
Smoking can also make treating arthritis more challenging.
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Reduced Effectiveness of Medications: Some studies suggest that smoking can reduce the
effectiveness of certain arthritis medications, such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics used to treat
rheumatoid arthritis. This means that smokers may not experience the same level of symptom relief as non-smokers.
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Increased Risk of Complications: For people who require surgery to manage arthritis,
such as joint replacement surgery, smoking can increase the risk of complications, including infections, delayed wound healing, and poor
surgical outcomes.
Smoking poses a significant risk to joint health and can increase the likelihood of developing arthritis, particularly RA. For those who
already have arthritis, smoking can worsen symptoms, accelerate joint damage, and make treatment more challenging.
Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your joints and overall health. If you’re struggling to quit,
seek support from healthcare professionals who can provide guidance and resources to help you succeed.
Remember, it’s never too late to make a positive change for your health and wellbeing.
Get support to quit smoking
As well as the overall health benefits, stopping smoking can help to reduce your risk of RA or help to reduce pain or improve the chances of
your medication working (AMA).
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting or call Quitline on 13 7848
More information
Call Quitline 13 7848 or visit www.quit.org.au/ to information, advice and tips.
How Arthritis Queensland can help
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