News article posted by PHARMACY TIMES

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"A single treatment with acupuncture could reduce the heightened risk of stroke associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to results of a study published in BMJ Open.1,2 According to a press release, the effects of acupuncture were independent of sex, age, medication use, and coexisting conditions.

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'Unstable blood pressure and lipid profiles are the 2 risk factors for ischemic stroke, and acupuncture therapy has the advantage of controlling both hypertension and dyslipidemia,” the investigators said in the press release. “If acupuncture relieves morning stiffness and joint pain, patients might also benefit from increasing daily activities, which might also reduce the risk of stroke.'

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Acupuncture is used to control pain and decrease inflammation, according to the press release. Investigators aimed to determine whether that could also lower the risk of ischemic stroke by reducing levels of cytokines linked to cardiovascular disease...

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Investigators reported that in the acupuncture group, 341 individuals compared with 605 individuals in the non-acupuncture group experienced a stroke, which is approximately a 43% lower risk, according to the press release."

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Reference

1. Acupuncture may curb heightened risk of stroke associated with rheumatoid arthritis. News release. EurekAlert. February 13, 2024. Accessed February 13, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1034017

2. Huang CY, Huang MC, Liao HH, L CL, et al. Effect of acupuncture on ischaemic stroke in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide propensity score-matched study. BMJ Open. 2024;14(2):e075218. Published 2024 Feb 13. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075218

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