Rumour: Morning stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis can be improved using new anti-inflammatory drugs.
Truth: This is true.
Rheumatoid arthritis has many symptoms including stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning. The stiffness can be very painful and can interfere with an individual’s quality of life. Some individuals may even be unable to work due to the severity of the stiffness.
Well-known anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin only temporarily relieve pain and stiffness. A review in the scientific journal Drugs & Aging evaluated if newer anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce pain and stiffness. The review determined that the new anti-inflammatory drugs effectively decrease the average duration or severity of stiffness in the morning, however, there are some serious side effects of long-term use. To read more about this review, click here.
