Abstract
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most frequent inflammatory rheumatic disease, affecting between 0.5 and 1% of the general population, still remains unknown. However, as with all autoimmune disorders, it is assumed that rheumatoid arthritis is the consequence of the influence of environmental factors on a genetically predisposed host. Regional variations in disease prevalence support the environmental influence theory: geographical and climatic conditions, industrialization and pollution, socioeconomic status or lifestyle. For the time being, with a few exceptions, such as smoking, the vast majority of factors that can influence the onset of the disease remain unclear, although their contribution is most probably significant.
Highlights
The presence of the disease in approximately only 15% of genetically identical twins outlines the influence of infectious or non-infectious factors on the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Epidemiological studies have shown differences in what regards the prevalence of the disease amongst the same type of population, according to rural or urban environment, geo-climactic conditions, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, industrialisation and pollution, endemic infectious and lifestyle, such as diet and smoking
In a metaanalysis which identified 16 studies published in Medline and EMBASE that evaluated the association between smoking and disease onset risk, smoking was proven as a risk factor in heavy smokers and for seropositive disease (RF+) in men [1]
The results of the first part of the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) study (“epidemiological investigation of rheumatoid arthritis”), a populational case-control study which included over 900 RA patients, ages 18 to 70, residing in a geographical areas in central and southern Sweden, outline a threefold increase in disease onset risk (OR: 1.2 to 7.6) in male patients with significant professional exposure to silica dust [9]
Summary
Cristina Suta1,2, Sabina Ciocodei2, Iulia Andronache2, Elvira Craiu1, Maria Suta1,2 13rd Department, Ist Clinical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine, Ovidius University, Constanta 2Rheumatology Department, 2nd Internal Medicine Clinic, Sf. Apostol Andrei Emergency Clinical County
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