Gut microbiome changes may signal onset of rheumatoid arthritis
A groundbreaking study has revealed that shifts in the gut microbiome may be a key early indicator of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), potentially paving the way for targeted treatments and preventive strategies. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, found that certain bacteria associated with inflammation were present in higher quantities in the gut of individuals up to 10 months before they developed clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The findings, published in the *Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases*, offer a new avenue for identifying individuals at risk for RA, which is an autoimmune disease that causes painful joint inflammation and can lead to long-term disability if untreated. Researchers say this discovery could lead to personalized, preventive treatment options for those at risk.
Over a 15-month period, the team followed 124 people considered to be at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Seven participants were diagnosed with the disease during the study, while 22 remained healthy. The researchers analyzed stool and blood samples collected at five different intervals to assess changes in the participants’ gut microbiome.
The study highlighted the role of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) antibodies, which are specific to rheumatoid arthritis and target healthy cells. The presence of these antibodies, alongside reports of joint pain in the three months leading up to the diagnosis, was identified as a significant risk factor for disease progression.
Results showed that participants who eventually developed RA exhibited lower microbial diversity in their gut compared to healthy individuals. This decrease in diversity was particularly notable in those with recognized genetic, blood, and imaging risk factors for arthritis, as well as in those using steroids.
One of the key findings of the study was the overabundance of specific strains of the *Prevotellaceae* family, particularly *Prevotella copri*, in the guts of participants who progressed to RA. Elevated levels of a strain called ASV2058 were found in individuals who developed RA, suggesting that these bacteria may contribute to the disease’s onset and progression.
“Our study shows that individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis have a distinctive gut microbial composition,” said the research team in their published paper. “This microbial signature, particularly the overabundance of *Prevotellaceae*, is consistent with traditional genetic and clinical risk factors for RA.”
This discovery opens up the possibility of using microbiome analysis to identify individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis before symptoms emerge, providing a window of opportunity for earlier intervention and personalized treatment strategies.
While further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between the gut microbiome and rheumatoid arthritis, the study marks an important step toward potential preventive measures and more effective treatments for those at risk of the debilitating disease.
