Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Part 1

In the first article or this series .....

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in inflammation of the joints. Autoimmune diseases occur when the person's immune system does not have the ability to distinguish foreign molecules from their own body's. Although the specific cause is not known, research has led to some clues.

It has long been believed that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by infection. These could be a result of food allergies, viruses, bacteria or fungi. The chain of events believed to occur is:

- As in other autoimmune diseases, an infection triggers an immune system response.
- That infection is defeated.

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- Antibodies that attacked the infection are still in the bloodstream.
- Those antibodies attack the synovium surrounding the joint because some molecule in the synovium has the characteristics of the original infection. This is known as molecular mimicry.

The action of the antibodies on the synovium causes inflammation. This inflammation results in the release of proteins which cause thickening of the synovium and damage to the cartilage, tendons, ligaments and bone surrounding the joint.

It should be noted that research has not proven any of these to be a causal factor.

Other studies have pointed to a genetic relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. Certain genes are known to be responsible for the development of the immune system. It may be that the lack of some of these genes increases a persons risk for RA. It is not entirely clear, but it is clear that there is more than one gene that affects the development or severity of the disease.

It is also believed that there are environmental factors that contribute to development of rheumatoid arthritis. There have been recent reports that scientists have discovered a link between smoking and increased risk of RA.

However, there has not been any evidence to demonstrate that physical and emotional effects, stress and improper diet could contribute to the disease. There is some research suggests that alcohol consumption lowers the risk of developing the disease. There has been a Swedish study which found that the risk of developing RA decreased as the consumption of alcohol increased from light to moderate levels.

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