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Autoimmune Diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer.
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Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes
Environmental Exposures
Fibroblasts
Genetics
Lifestyle Choices

Sleep Disorders
Overview of Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's likely that rheumatoid arthritis occurs as a result of a complex combination of factors, including your genes, your lifestyle choices, such as smoking, and things in your environment, such as viruses. MayoClinic.
Environmental Exposures
Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases. New research suggests a link between women's exposure to household insecticides -- including roach and mosquito killers -- and the autoimmune disorders rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. HealthDay News. (AJC) 10/19/09. (Also see: Lupus)
Fibroblasts
LIGHT Induces Cell Proliferation and Inflammatory Responses of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Synovial Fibroblasts via Lymphotoxin ß Receptor(LTßR). Findings suggest that LIGHT ((lymphotoxin-like, exhibits inducible expression and competes with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for herpes virus entry mediator, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes) signaling via LTßR plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RA by affecting key processes such as the proliferation and activation of RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Satoru Ishida. J Rheumatol First Release April 15 2008.
Cells of the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial fibroblasts. A body of evidence has accumulated illustrating that rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts are active drivers of joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Ulf Müller-Ladner, Caroline Ospelt, Steffen Gay, Oliver Distler, and Thomas Pap, Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9(6): 223. (Also see: Prof. Ulf Müller-Ladner, MD: ISN Medical Advisory Board and Dr. Oliver Distler: ISN Medical Advisory Board)
Genetics
Familial associations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with autoimmune diseases and related conditions. This is the first study to compare the familial risks of RA in relation to a large number of autoimmune diseases and related conditions using data from a single population. The high discordant familial risks in this population suggest that there is extensive genetic sharing between RA and the associated diseases. Kari Hemminki. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Mar;60(3):661-8.
Advances in the genetics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) point to subclassification into distinct disease subsets. More genetic risk factors have now been identified that predispose to RA. Interestingly, several of the observed genetic variants conferred risk to anticitrulline-peptide antibody (ACPA)-positive RA and two variants may be restricted to ACPA-negative RA, pointing to the need for subclassification of RA. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:205.
Incidence and Clinical Significance of Parvovirus B19 Infection in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Study confirms observations regarding a high prevalence of B19 DNA in patients with RA. J Rheumatol First Release May 15 2008.
Lifestyle Choices
Large Amounts of Coffee Can Speed Up Progression to Rheumatoid Arthritis. The progression of undifferentiated arthritis to rheumatoid arthritis can be fueled by heavy coffee drinking. That was the conclusion of a study involving 280 people with arthritis in at least one joint. Carol & Richard Eustice. About.com/Arthritis. 10/18/08.
Sleep Disorders
Sleepless Night Triggers Immune System’s Inflammatory Response; Findings Reveal New Avenue for Fighting Autoimmune Disorders. This study shows that even a modest loss of sleep for a single night increases inflammation, which is a key factor in the onset of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. UCLA News. 09/22/06. (Also see: Sleep Disorders)
 
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