Genetics and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that can cause chronic inflammation of joints such as knees, hands, ankles and hips. It can also cause a number of other complications throughout the body and is a condition that is widely regarded as incurable. It causes both pain and stiffness of joints that can together affect a person's mobility levels and ability to get about life in a normal manner. When we consider the role of genetics in causing rheumatoid arthritis we must also consider the fact that the condition is more likely to occur in women than men. In fact it is likely to occur up to three to four times more in women than in men. It is also mostly detected in those over the ages of 40, while people younger than that can also be affected.

When discussing genetics and rheumatoid arthritis it must be said that there is no conclusive evidence to prove that genetics play a definite role in deciding whether a person has a higher chance of being affected by it or not. However recent research studies have indicated at least a strong correlation between certain genes and the condition.

Key among them is the gene that is most strongly identified with it. This susceptible gene is found in the HLA region and is referred to as the 'shared epitope'. Additional research also suggests that the gene, PTPN22, is also strongly associated with the rheumatoid arthritis, and is said to double a person's chance of being affected by the condition. Certain other types of genes are also believed to significantly increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis but the amount of definite evidence is few and far in between.

As pointed out by researchers it is not sufficient to know what genes can decide the risk factor of a person being struck down by a complex disease such as this. When considering genetics and rheumatoid arthritis all we know now is that there might be a connection, but not how definite or strong that connection is. We are also still not in a position to work on these connections and transform that knowledge into affective treatment. What this does allow however is an insight to who amongst us is more susceptible to be affected by this disease as a result of the genes we carry.

If the genes most strongly tied to the disease are detected then it's best to watch out for symptoms of the condition. Primarily symptoms include pain that affects joints and stiffness of joints especially in the morning. Because rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other organs of the body, it is wise to watch out for a series of other symptoms that include fatigue, shortness of breath and loss of appetite. Complications arising from the condition can also cause gritty and dry eyes that can ultimately result in loss of vision, rheumatoid nodules under skin and in and around the lung, cardiovascular complications that could increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes as well.