Women More Likely To Get Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to an article on ScienceDaily, scientists at the Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit at the University of Manchester have found the reason that women are three times as likely as men to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune systems attacks the body's own tissues resulting in fluid build up within joints. The fluid build up causes inflammation and pain, and it can occur anywhere in the body. The disease is also a chronic disease, so it cannot be cured (source: arthritis.org).

The scientists used advanced technology and a large collection of samples to identify 14 new genes that can lead to RA in addition to the 32 other genes that have already been identified. Furthermore, the researchers have identified genes that are specific to the X chromosome, giving women a much greater chance of contracting the disease. This is in addition to the other non-genetic factors that play into getting the condition, such as pregnancy, smoking, and diet.

According to Professor Alan Silman, the medical director of Arthritis Research UK, this discovery is the first time that there has been a genetic association between RA and the X chromosome. So, why is this information so valuable? This finding has a great impact on treatments of arthritis. Dr. Stephen Eyre states that they have already found three genes that are targets for drugs. The other 43 genes have a potential for drug development. This would help the third of patients who do not respond well to current treatments.

This finding is a crucial step towards finding genes that cause other diseases and learning how to treat them as well. I believe that over time a cure for RA may be created, helping the 1% of the world's population that suffers from this disease. This could help extend research for all other areas of degenerative diseases and further advance the medical technologies we have today.