RESEARCH - Risk factors for the development of RA

[Guest guest]

Scand J Rheumatol. 2006 May-Jun;35(3):169-74.

Risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Oliver JE, Silman AJ.

arc Epidemiology Unit, Manchester University, School of Epidemiology

and Health Sciences, Manchester, UK.

There is increasing interest in attempting to understand what the risk

factors are that lead to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Twin studies have proved a genetic role but also quantified the

non-genetic risk. There is thus scope for identifying environmental

predictors that might offer a strategy to prevent the disease. Changes

in the female hormonal environment such as in pregnancy, breastfeeding

and the use of the oral contraceptive (OC) pill appear to have a role.

Of the traditional lifestyle exposures, cigarette smoking has been

associated with a consistently increased risk that might also apply to

the passive inhalation of smoke. Occupation probably has a minor

influence, although exposure to silica dust is of aetiological

importance. Recent studies have highlighted a role for diet, with

suggestions that diets high in caffeine, low in antioxidants and high

in red meat may contribute to an increased risk. The most plausible

environmental exposure is infection and although several decades of

study have produced few definitive candidate organisms, Epstein-Barr

virus (EBV) remains an interesting target.

PMID: 16766362

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16766362

--

Not an MD