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Tea intake linked to rheumatoid arthritis risk in women
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Women who drank large amounts of tea had a significantly increased of risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, whereas women who consumed coffee did not, according to a report from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.
The longitudinal cohort investigation pulled data on 76,643 women from the observational study, a long-term U.S. research program to examine morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. The women in the study self-reported daily tea and coffee consumption, according to a press release.
The results were presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2010 Annual Congress in Rome.
Tea vs. coffee
The researchers found a positive association of incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in tea drinkers and that consuming any amount of tea was associated with a risk of RA. Women who drank four or more cups per day had an increased risk RA compared to those who drank none, according to the EULAR press release.
Coffee drinkers did not have an increased risk of RA or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, the researchers reported. The use of a filter or the presence of caffeine in the coffee did not affect the results, according to the release.
"It is surprising that we saw such differences in results between tea and coffee drinkers," Christopher Collins, MD, of Georgetown University Medical Center, noted in the release. "This does make us wonder what it is in tea, or in the method of preparation of tea that causes the significant increase in risk of developing RA.”
Causation not confirmed
“We do assert the need for caution in the interpretation of these findings as no strong causation effect has been confirmed, and encourage patients with rheumatic diseases to consult their physician before making any significant changes to their diet or caffeine intake" said Paul Emery, MD, EULAR president stated in the release.
- Reference:
Walitt B, Pettinger M, Parks C, Hunt J, Howard B, Collins C. Coffee and tea consumption and method of coffee preparation in relation to risk of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythema tosus in postmenopausal women. Presented during Rheumatoid Arthritis prognosis, predictors and outcome at the European League Against Rheumatism 2010 Annual Congress. June 16-19. Rome.
