About 15 percent of arthritis patients have ulcers. That compares to 1-2 percent of the general population, according to Dr. Graham, who says that ulcers in arthritis patients are also more likely to have complications. They can cause bleeding, they can perforate all the way through the stomach or duodenum and cause a surgical emergency, or they can even cause an obstruction to the outlet of the stomach. We can do the same thing prospectively. If we think a patient is at high risk for developing an ulcer or an ulcer complication, we can co-prescribe a prostaglandin to replace what is missing from the stomach lining.
Synthetic prostaglandins are relatively new in the treatment of arthritis patients.
The study found that misoprostol reduced serious upper gastrointestinal complications by 40 percent. In addition to drug therapy, arthritis patients are also encouraged to exercise and eat right. It may decrease the deformities caused by arthritis. It helps to maintain muscle strength and the activities of daily living, thereby helping to keep people independent and reduce their isolation. But, Dr. Simon says the exercise has to be judicious.