Dr. Álvaro Monterrosa Castro, MD
Studies carried out in Great Britain and Holland in the late 1970s reported that oral contraceptives were related to a 40 to 50% decrease in the incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Subsequent studies indicated an absence of protective effect.
Since then, it has been strongly debated whether combined oral contraceptives have a protective effect against Rheumatoid Arthritis.
(Read Also: Lower Incidence of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis)
Spector and Hochberg (110) performed a meta-analysis of twelve studies and concluded that combined oral contraceptives have not been shown to protect against Rheumatoid Arthritis. But it is very likely that they will modify or delay its evolution. Jasen (43) cites the results of a recent case-control study published in 1997 where they found a 78% risk reduction, OR: 0.22 (CI: 0.06 – 0.85) in current users, but the benefit is not associated with use. before the pill.
Dr. Álvaro Monterrosa Castro, MD
