Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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By ACCORDANT HEALTH SERVICES

About 1.3 million American adults have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA occurs worldwide. It affects people of every race and ethnic group. Men, women, and children get RA. There are some people who are more likely to get it than others. Research has found that RA most often occurs in those who are:

• Female. RA occurs far more often in women than in men. Women are 2-3 times more likely to get it than men. In the U.S., about 3 out of 4 people with RA are women. About 5% of women over age 55 currently have RA. While men are less likely to get RA, males who do get it usually have more serious cases than women.
• Age 30 to 50. RA can occur at any age. While young children and elderly people do get RA, it usually starts between the ages of 30 and 50.
• Native American. Alaskan natives and some Native American Indians are more likely to get RA than other Americans.
• Smokers. It is now clear that heavy smoking increases the risk of getting RA.
• Related to people with RA. Brothers, sisters, parents, and children of people with RA have a slightly greater (2-3%) chance of getting it. RA is not an inherited disease, but experts think we can inherit genes that can increase our risk of getting it.

Other Possibilities
There are some other factors that may be connected to getting RA. No one understands yet why these things may increase the risk for RA. Scientists continue to study these possible risk factors:

• Obesity
• A history of blood transfusions
• A short fertile period in women
• Making too much or too little of certain hormones

Scientists also continue to explore factors that seem to protect people from getting RA. The chances of getting RA may be reduced by:

• Taking birth control pills
• Being a man
• Having hay fever

References

Matteson EL. Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Klippel JH, Crofford LJ, Stone JH, Weyand CM, eds. Primer on the Rheumatic Diseases. 12th ed. Atlanta, GA: Arthritis Foundation; 2001:209-232.

National Institutes of Health.NAIMS. Handout on Health: Rheumatoid Arthritis. http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/rahandout.htm#ra_4. Accessed January 16, 2007.

Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/gender-differences.php. Accessed April 3, 2008.

Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=31&df=whos_at_risk. Accessed April 3, 2008.

Ferucci ED, Templin DW, Lanier AP. Rheumatoid arthritis in American Indians and Alaska Natives: a review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2005;34(4):662-667.

Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/genes-environment-arthritis4.php. Accessed March 18, 2008.

Symmons DP, Bankhead CR, Harrison BJ, et al. Blood transfusion, smoking, and obesity as risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis: results from a primary care-based incident case-control study in Norfolk, England. Arthritis Rheum. 1997;40(11):1955-1961.

Reckner OA, Skogh T, Wingren G. Comorbidity and lifestyle, reproductive factors, and environmental exposures associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2001;60(10):934-939.

MDConsult. Rheumatoid arthritis patient handout: comprehensive version. http://home.mdconsult.com/das/patient/view/57844806-2/10041/9425.html/top?sid=476008787&SEQNO=7 [available with subscription]. Accessed January 17, 2008.

Last Modified Date: December 28, 2009 © Accordant Health Services, a CVS/Caremark company.   All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed for accuracy by a member of the Accordant Health Services Medical Advisory Team. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions.