Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation, joint stiffening and pain affecting multiple joints throughout the body, especially of the hands, wrists and feet. It commonly consists of morning stiffness of the affected joints for greater than one hour, arthritic joints on both sides of the body (symmetric arthritis) and, in advanced disease, degradation of cartilage and deformation of joints. Two million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men, typically between the ages of 35 and 50. Its underlying cause is unknown; however, there are several outside triggers that seem to instigate the presentation or exacerbate this potentially debilitating autoimmune condition.
Genetic Factors
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is the main genetic factor linked to development of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this increases susceptibility to developing rheumatoid arthritis but does not ensure the individual will acquire the disease. Certain subtypes of the HLA genetic factor may increase the severity of the disease if diagnosis has occurred.
Infections
In his book, “Integrative Rheumatology,” naturopathic doctor Alex Vasquez discusses infections, both bacterial and viral, as possible initiators of rheumatoid arthritis. Cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, hepatitis C virus and the bacteria Proteus mirabilis are the most common infections seen prior to RA diagnosis. The theory is that the immune system’s normal activity to fight these microbes spins out of control and begins to erroneously attack tissues of the body. This is the quintessential picture of an autoimmune condition: where immune cells and antibodies mistakenly injure or destroy a person’s organs, joints or tissues thinking foreign invaders are being attacked instead.
Female Gender
Elevation of estradiol and prolactin levels, both hormones secreted at higher levels in females than males, may have some triggering effect on rheumatoid arthritis. Previously diagnosed autoimmune conditions often worsen for women the year following pregnancy and risk of developing new autoimmune diseases is increased during that time. This may explain why women are much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
References
- "Integrative Rheumatology"; Alex Vasquez; 2007
- AltMD Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis
