Smoking and high BMI cut anti TNF response rates by up to half

A new study has appeared in a medical journal called BMC Rheumatology. It is based on pooled data from 14 European rheumatic disease registries, and involved 14,885 people who were starting their first anti TNF.

The study shows that people with axial SpA who smoke or have a high BMI are 25-50% less likely to achieve a robust disease response from their anti TNF.

More specifically the results show smokers were around 25% less likely than non-smokers to achieve what is known as a BASDAI-50 treatment response in the first year of treatment with an anti TNF. Meanwhile, overweight and obese people with axial SpA had around 25% and 50% lower odds, respectively, of reaching BASDAI-50 after 12 months compared to patients of normal weight.

BASDAI-50 refers to a 50% or greater improvement in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score. This means people would be feeling their symptoms had significantly improved.

If you want to lose weight then check out the advice and links on this NHS webpage. There is a similar page of advice for anyone who wants to stop smoking.