Gut microbiome could predict prognosis for rheumatoid arthritis patients, study finds

Trillions of microorganisms in our bodies, including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, make up the human microbiome. A rheumatoid arthritis patient's gut microbiome may indicate whether the condition will improve over time, according to a recent study published in Genome Medicine shows. 

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic used gut microbiome data and artificial intelligence to predict clinical outcomes with an accuracy of 90%.

"There's microbiome on the skin, in the lungs, everywhere," said Dr. Bob Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases at St. Joseph Health and author of the forthcoming book "Immunity Strong," to CBSN. "And they stimulate the immune system. They actually are involved in the development of our nervous system and our brain and they're the main source of vitamins, like vitamin K and vitamin B. They also protect our bowels from infection and from organisms going into our bloodstream."