Heart Disease, Smoking, and Hormones Tied To Lupus and RA [Part 1]

Heart Disease, Smoking, and Hormones Tied To Lupus and RA [Part 1]

06 May 2015

In Part 1 of her interview on Arthritis Now, Dr. Karen Costenbder, from the Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, talks about her varied research projects and each of their effects on lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

First, she explains the correlation between lupus & RA and cardiovascular disease; a on-going facet of her research she has been working on for over a decade that was part of her initial research project for which ANRF funded her. She also speaks about her findings regarding smoking and female hormones and the role they play regarding these diseases. Her research suggests that people who smoke, and women who experience menarche earlier, are more likely to develop these diseases.

Stay tuned for more of Dr. Costenbader’s fascinating research in 2 weeks for the conclusion of her interview!