Rheumatoid arthritis is not an inheritable disease. It is possible that having certain genes increases the risk of developing it.

“There is no clear cause of the disease. Researchers think certain genes may increase your risk of developing the disease. They don’t consider it an inherited disorder.”

“A geneticist can’t tell you if you have a chance for RA based on your family history.”

People with specific genes called HLA class II genotypes may be at a higher risk of developing RA. The risk of RA can increase in the presence of other environmental factors. Factors that may trigger the autoimmune response of RA can include:

  • There are either viruses orbacteria.
  • emotional stress
  • There was trauma.
  • Certain hormones.
  • smoking
  • secondhand smoke

There is a link between genetics and causes of RA.

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to mistakenly send antibodies that attack the membranes that line the joints. This causes inflammation and pain as well as potential damage to other body systems, including:

  • There are eyes.
  • The lungs are large.
  • The heart.
  • blood vessels.

There is a chronic disease called RA. Flare-ups are periods of intense disease activity for people with RA. Some people experience periods of no symptoms at all.

The American College of Rheumatology estimates that 1.3 million people in the United States have RA.

Your immune system protects you from foreign invaders. The immune system can mistakenly attack healthy parts of your body.

Researchers have identified some of the genes that control these immune responses. Having these genes increases your risk for RA. However, not everyone who has RA has these genes, and not everyone with these genes has RA.

Some of the genes are related.

  • HLA: The HLA gene site is responsible for distinguishing between your body’s proteins and the proteins of the infecting organism. A person with the HLA genetic marker is more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who don’t have this marker. This gene is one of the most significant genetic risk factors for RA.
  • STAT4: This gene plays a role in regulating and activating the immune system.
  • TRAF1-C5: This gene has a part in causing chronic inflammation.
  • PTPN22: This gene is associated with the onset of RA and the progression of the disease.

Some genes thought to be responsible for RA are also involved in other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. This may be why some people develop more than one autoimmune disease.

According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), first-degree relatives of a person with RA are three times more likely to develop the condition than first-degree relatives of people who don’t have RA.

“The risk of developing RA is increased for parents, siblings, and children of someone with the disease. The risk doesn’t include environmental factors.”

Genetic factors may be involved in 53% to 68% of the causes of RA. Researchers calculated this estimate by observing twins. Identical twins have the same genes.

According to NRAS, about 15% of identical twins are likely to develop RA. In fraternal twins, who have different genes like other siblings, the number is 4%.

RA can be found in every sex, age, and ethnicty. But an estimated 75% of people with RA are assigned female at birth. People assigned female at birth may be two to three times more likely to develop RA than people assigned male at birth.

People assigned female at birth who have RA usually receive a diagnosis between ages 30 and 60. Researchers attribute this number to female hormones that may contribute to developing RA.

People assigned male at birth usually receive a diagnosis later, after the age of 45, and the overall risk increases with age.

Environmental and behavioral risk factors can affect your chances of developing and progressing disease. Smokers experience more severe symptoms of the disease.

People who have given birth or breastfed may have a slightly decreased risk of developing RA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Environmental and behavioral risk factors that could contribute to RA can include:

  • Air pollution can cause health problems.
  • Smoking can cause the development of RA.
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke is not as bad as it could be.
  • Exposure to pesticides.
  • “It’s obese.”
  • Exposure to mineral oil and/or silica is an occupational hazard.
  • The response to trauma includes physical or emotional stress.
  • A diet that has a lot of calories and little fiber.

Some of these are modifiable risk factors you can change or manage with your lifestyle. Quitting smoking, if you smoke, losing weight, if you have “It’s obese.”, and reducing stress in your life, if applicable, may also potentially reduce your risk for RA.

Genetics can increase your chances of developing the disease. Several genetic markers can increase the risk.

The genes are associated with the immune system and inflammation. Not everyone with these markers develops RA. Not everyone with RA has markers.

This suggests that a genetic predisposition can be a factor in the development of RA.

Still more to find

Half of the genetic markers increase your risk for RA. Most of the genes are unknown.