What Are the Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects over a million people in the United States alone. It is a painful condition that affects the entire body and triggers joint degeneration. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but studies have shown a few possible causes and predispositions to the disease.
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Immune System
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In a person with a healthy immune system, white blood cells will produce antibodies to protect a body from foreign substances. In the immune system of someone with rheumatoid arthritis, the body's healthy tissue is not correctly recognized, and the immune system rejects it.
Genetics
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Rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in families of those who have had the disease (or other autoimmune conditions). Research has shown that those with the genetic marker HLA-DR4 are more likely to have the disease.
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Infection
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Since the connection between rheumatoid arthritis and the immune system has been proven, some have questioned whether infection may be a cause of the disease. There has not been any conclusive evidence of this.
Gender
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Women are three times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis than men. Women are also more likely to develop the disease in the year following a pregnancy.
Speculation
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While research scientists are still trying to pinpoint the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, there have been many other theories. Speculation about viruses, bacteria and even environmental factors (like pollutants) have been suggested but not proven.
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