New test to find people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis

A simple blood test and information about smoking habits are the basis of a new method of identifying people at very high-risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, says UK research published in PLoS Genetics.

People develop rheumatoid arthritis because of genetic factors and environmenta” factors such as smoking. The new computer-based prediction model allows experts to combine genetic and environmental risk factors to estimate a person’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. It can also identify those at risk of developing the disease at a younger age.

The implications

“I hope that, as we understand the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis better, our prediction modelling method could be used to screen people for this disease before they develop any symptoms,” explains Dr Ian Scott who led the research. “This is an important first step in trying to develop ways to prevent the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

“Targeted screening of people already at an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, such as relatives of patients, could identify enough high-risk people to allow researchers to look at ways to prevent rheumatoid arthritis from developing.”

Next steps

Treating rheumatoid arthritis before significant joint damage has occurred increases the likelihood of remission after treatment.