Risk Factors

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an ancient disease. The condition has been identified in skeletons thousands of years old. According to the Arthritis Foundation, RA affects an estimated 2.1 million Americans.

Age

Although the disease can occur at any age from childhood to old age, it usually starts in young adulthood, with onset peaking between the ages of 20 - 45. Still, about 50,000 children may be afflicted with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Gender

Women are more likely to have RA than men. (The risk for women is slightly lower if they have been pregnant.) Women are also at higher risk for the severe type 2 rheumatoid arthritis.

Family History

Some people may inherit genes that make them susceptible to RA, but a family history of RA does not appear to increase an individual's risk.

Other Risk Factors

• Heavy long-term smoking is a very strong risk factor for RA, particularly in patients without a family history of the disease.
• Women who have a shorter fertility time (and so lower levels of reproductive hormones) may be at higher risk.
• History of blood transfusions.

Most studies have not found any association between silicone breast implants and rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disease (except possibly Sjögren syndrome).

The Role of Allergies

Reports from a Dutch study suggest that hay fever sufferers have a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and, conversely, arthritis patients are less likely to have hay fever.

Review Date: 12/21/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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